Church sent into the world

David Bosch writes, “The involvement in the world should lead to a deepening of our relationship with and dependence on God, and the deepening of this relationship should lead to an increasing involvement in the world.” Tod Hiestand writes: " the individual church must see itself as sent into the world, it must also see itself as sent into the world along with the church catholic."

The mission of the church is derived from Jesus' call to gather together. also the apostle Paul called us not to neglect our own congregational meetings which form the church, (Hebrews 10:25)
The church’s call to be a “sign, witness and foretaste” of the coming Kingdom may not be overlooked.

God has sent the church so that in His mission His “love and attention are directed primarily at the world". God has given His son as the foundation of the Church.

We are all part of the world but God and His son Jesus have given us the task to distantiate from the worldly matters. The church that “goes” is the church that finds its primary identity detached from the world and set apart as holy.  The separate and untainted church rightfully understands that it needs to be a witness for the gospel.
Missiologist David Bosch writes: “Spirituality or devotional life seems to mean withdrawal from the world, charging my batteries, and then going out into the world. The image is of an automobile that runs on batteries only.”
Jesus light of Israel, but also for all people, states the need for us to remain set apart in their sentness, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”(John 17:18) We can hope to reap which shall only be possible if we properly reflect the teachings of Christ Jesus. Christ means ‘Messiah’, the  anointed one. He was anointed in order " to preach the Gospel" (Luke 4:18); and we too have been anointed insofar as we are in Christ, the anointed one (2 Corinthians 1:21). Therefore as He was ordained a preacher of the Gospel to the world, we too share that honour (as we do all His honours, to some extent). He was anointed (‘oiled’) by God in order to give the oil of joy to His people; He shared His experience of anointing with us, and we must go out and do likewise (Isaiah 61:1,2) (cp. Luke 4:18).

Isaiah’s description of the beauty of Christ’s preaching in (Isaiah 52:7) is quoted by Paul concerning every preacher of the Gospel (Romans 10:15); the “he” of (Isaiah 52) is changed to “them” in Romans 10. And Paul is quoting this Old Testament prophecy about Jesus to prove that we are all “sent” to preach the Gospel. The validity of our commission to preach is quite simply that Jesus Himself preached; in this way we are all personally “sent” to preach, simply because He was sent to preach. As the Father sent Him, so He sends us.  We should be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) and we should show the world that we are united in that one Body of Christ. Jesus prays that they would remain unified, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” With Jesus’ prayer as a foundation for understanding the nature of the church we see that the Church finds itself in the world, yet set apart and unified.

We as brothers and sisters in Christ do have to be unified if we desire to have an effective witness in the world and to build a true church of Christ. We can not be monads or private disciples going our own way, out of love for our fellow believers we do have to share the love of Christ and our own love with the whole community.

We need to speak out against the suburban value of extreme individualism and call Christians back to community. We should prepare the ground, fertilise the field, and plant Bible based structures.

We need to deconstruct the value of consumerism in a way that leads instead to sacrificial living and we need to understand how our individualism and consumerism lead us to neglect the hurting and needy people in our neighborhoods and cities. We cannot stay together in a closed or isolated cocoon. It can help everybody if we can move from an individualized witness to a more robust and powerful communal witness.

Jesus was not about sending his disciples out by themselves into their individualized world to “share the gospel” so that people could “go to heaven when they die.” Rather, he was sending them out to be a communal, public witness to the Kingdom that he was announcing and inaugurating. We need a Church that rejects the lone ranger mentality and lives in sacrificial and compassionate community.

(Based on ideas from Todd Hiestand and Duncan Heaster)

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience

"The best portion of a good man's life:
his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love."
- William Wordsworth

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Colossians 3:12

Dear God,
please do give me insight,
and give that I can take on an attitude of unselfishness,
can bring up patience, gentlesness
and give my love to others.

Nederlandse versie / Dutch version > Kleed jezelf met compassie, zachtheid, vriendelijkheid, nederigheid, en geduld
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2013 update:

Portrait of William Wordsworth by William Shuter (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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A man who cannot forgive others

"A man who cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must cross.
Every man has need of forgiveness."
- Thomas Fuller

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Colossians 3:12-14

God, grant that I will always be forgiving.
and that I will always share my love to all.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Een man die anderen niet kan vergeven

Be holy

"Be Ye Holy - For I Am Holy (Lev. 11:44)

"If we are to attain to the Kingdom of God, and to a condition of eternal usefulness to God, we must in this life lift our minds to an entirely new plane of consciousness and thinking: to the plane of holiness - far above the natural, animal desires and interests of the flesh. Holiness is Beauty: the Beauty of Holiness: all else is ugliness. Holiness is Separateness and Purity: a Separate Purity: a Pure Separateness. The mental food that creates the transformation of our minds from natural repulsiveness to spiritual attractiveness is the Spirit-Word, continuously and liberally indulged in. "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord." Naturally, we are the very opposite of holy. To become so, more and more, is life's purpose: its ONLY purpose.

 Any time spent that does not contribute to this is precious divine time wasted: unfaithful stewardship. "Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord" is a large enough command, and a high enough ambition, to completely fill any lifetime.
With God's bountiful and loving help, lift your mind above all natural childishness and foolishness, all interest in worldly things, all unclean fleshly habits and thoughts, all of the ugliness of the flesh, as anger, impatience, harshness, unkindness, selfishness, lack of sympathy and compassion and healing, forgiving love. "Be ye holy, even as God is holy."
What a joy! What a revelation! What a beautiful, noble company!
"Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness!"
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Brother G.V. "Rene" Growcott

Dutch translation / Nederlandse vertaling > Weest heilig
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2013 update:

"Aaron, Holy to the Lord" (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands
in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love,
if any fellowship with attitude,
if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."
Philippians 2:1-2

God, let me always make the right choices by challenges,
and let me continue to approach the others in tender compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > De ultieme maatregel van een man is niet waar hij staat

If you want to go far in life

"If you want to go far in life, be …
Tender with the young,
Compassionate with the aged,
Sympathetic with the striving,
Tolerant of the weak and the strong.
Because someday you will have been all of these."
- George Washington Carver

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers,
be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling,
but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing."
1 Peter 3:8-9

God give that I can bring up patience for others
and can approach them with kindness.
Let me radiate the love of Christ.

Dutch version > Als je ver wilt gaan in het leven

The soul has no rainbow if the eyes have no tears

"The soul has no rainbow if the eyes have no tears."
- Native American Saying

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort
we ourselves have received from God."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Lord teach me my grief to bear
and teach me to sea the positive side of my difficulties.
Let me also assist people who have difficulties
and let me comfort those who have grieve.

Dutch version > De ziel heeft geen regenboog als de ogen niet tranen

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2014 update:

 

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Foundation to go the distance

“Rather, encourage one another every day as long as we call it “Today.” [Do this] so that none of you ever become hardened by the seduction of sin. For in reality we only become partakers of the Christ if we hold on to the fundamentals we had at the beginning steadfast until the finish.” (Heb 3:13-14 MHM)
“Also, may we show consideration to one another, stirring up like a fire among ourselves compassionate affection and good works. May we not quit our assembling together in meetings as is the custom of some persons. Rather, continue to be encouraging, and so much more as you behold the Day drawing closer.” (Heb 10:24-25 MHM)
“On the subject of showing benevolent empathy for the brothers you do not need us to write to you, for all of you are God-taught to continue to have compassionate affection for one another. And surely you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we encourage all of you, brothers, to keep doing it even more.” (1Th 4:9-10 MHM)
“In addition, brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who are sleeping [in death]. That you do not persist in grieving as everyone else does who are without hope. For if our conviction is that Jesus died and rose again, just so, also, those who have fallen asleep believing in Jesus, The God will gather together and lead to [Jesus].” (1Th 4:13-14 MHM)
“And so all of you continue to comfort one another with these words.” (1Th 4:18 MHM)
“In response to the above, holy “brothers” –partakers of a heavenly calling–thoughtfully consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.” (Heb 3:1 MHM)

“[You were taught] to put away the old person–that is, your former course of conduct–who was corrupted by seductive desires.” (Eph 4:22 MHM)
“Therefore, continue to comfort one another and building one another up just as you continue to do.” (1Th 5:11 MHM)
 “preach the Word urgently in season or out of season, convince, reprove, and encourage with all tolerance and art of teaching.” (2Ti 4:2 MHM)

“In contrast, Christ as a Son [was faithful] over [God’s] House. We [“brothers”] are the House of that One–but only if we continue steadfast in our confident boasting regarding the Hope until a finish.” (Heb 3:6 MHM)
“But, “faith” is hoping for something, [hoping for] the reality of things without visible proof.” (Heb 11:1 MHM)

“For, indeed, these [human fathers] disciplined us for a few days according to what seemed [right] to them. However, [the Spiritual Father] does so for our benefit that we may partake of His holiness.” (Heb 12:10 MHM)
“But rather all of you continue to rejoice because of sharing in the sufferings of the Christ, so that you might also rejoice in exultation at the revelation of his glory.” (1Pe 4:13 MHM)
“That is that the non-Jews are to be joint heirs–and joint body [members] and joint partakers of the promise incorporate in Jesus Christ through the good news.” (Eph 3:6 MHM)
“But Christ as a son over his own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” (Heb 3:6 Webster)

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1 Webster)

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Grondslag voor de af te leggen weg

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2013 update:  

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Be kinder than necessary

"Be kinder than necessary;
For everyone you meet is
Fighting some kind of battle."
James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937)

"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,
put on a heart of compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other,
whoever has a complaint against anyone;
just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you."
Colossians 3:12-13

Lord, make that I may be full of love
and look behind the shortcomings of others.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Wees liever dan noodzakelijk
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2013 update: 

When discouraged facing opposition

It can be easy to become discouraged when facing opposition in our ministry. Here are a couple of things which can help:

Knowing that the opposition we may face in relation to sharing Bible truths means that we are on the right track:
"You will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my [Jesus'] name; but he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." (Matthew 10:22)
"If they have persecuted me [Jesus], they will persecute you also." (John 15:20)

Jesus and many other faithful ones of Jehovah have suffered far worse than mere harsh words. But when you think of it, what can Man do to us?

"And do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Ge·henìna." (Mt. 10:28)
"Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens." (Matthew 5:10-12)


What moves one to share Bible truths? Someone once said, "Preaching merely out of obligation becomes burdensome in time." If our motivation is the natural desire to share the wonderful, life-saving knowledge that we have learned with others, then it doesn't become burdensome at all.  Love for God is a primary reason why we share in the ministry, and truly being like Jesus includes being moved by compassion to preach and teach. (Matthew 22:37-39) Jesus' loving compassion for people was a key motivation for his sharing the good news with them:
^"Well, on getting out, he saw a great crowd, but he was moved with pity for them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd. And he started to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34)
"But the crowds, getting to know it, followed him. And he received them kindly and began to speak to them about the kingdom of God, and he healed those needing a cure." (Luke 9:11)
"This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3) 
Here are some scriptures that have helped me with discouragement in the past:

"Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let YOUR petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard YOUR hearts and YOUR mental powers by means of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6,7)
"Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight." (Prov. 3:5,6)

"Throw your burden upon Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to totter." (Psalm 55:22)
"Those who are hoping in Jehovah will regain power." (Isaiah 40:31)

Compassion and Discipline

"But suppose the sinner persists in his way or seeks to defend it so as to be injurious to the harmony of the whole assembly. What then? The counsel and commandment of the apostles are quite clear. The line is to be drawn in order to preserve the spirit and practice of the Lord Jesus in the congregation. In this connection it is worthwhile remembering an Old Testament word which runs:

"These ... things doth the Lord hate ... a proud look ... and he that soweth discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Under the rule of Christ, as in Old Testament times, the time comes when the recalcitrant person must cease to be regarded as a member of the congregation. Fellowship cannot be sustained because, in effect, it has already been severed by the persistence in error of the person concerned. This is the final resort and a source of great sorrow. The Scripture which enjoins this action reads as follows:

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us ... and if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)

"Now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." (1 Corinthians 5:11)

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." (1 Timothy 6:3-5)"

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Brother Harry Tennant
Fellowship
The Christadelphians - What they Believe and Preach

Suffering produces perseverance

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Ellende leidt tot volharding

Romans 5:3-4, New International Version

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    What are you living to produce in your life? Wealth? Fame? Status? Significance? Legacy? How about character! Isn't having the character of God our real goal in life? So even in our worst of times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in Jesus Christ. 



    Dear Father, please bless me so that I can be strong in difficult times and consistent in holy character. Please give me a heart of courage and compassion so that in some small way I can more nearly remind others what you are like and what you can do in their lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.