September 11, 2010
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"the infinite significance of the eternal Kingdom"
J. Campbell White wrote the following in "Missions and Leadership" (7-8) in the year 1915:
The Great Commission is the only commission. The Church has no other business. The world-field is the only field. Anything less is inadequate as the field of Christ or of His Church or of any disciple of His. The law of Christianity is propagate or deteriorate; expand or perish.
The first work and the chief work of the whole Church is to give the gospel to the whole world. "The world is redeemed, but it does not know it." And it never will know until the Church publishes the good news everywhere through living witnesses. Christ will never change His plan. He will wait until His followers fulfil His expectations. "This gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come." Matt. 24:14.
The one great event toward which all history is unfolding and upon which all the universe is waiting is the world-wide propagation of the Christian evangel. The Steel Trust and the Standard Oil Company and all other aggregations of capital and all human governments are but as children's toys compared with the infinite significance of the eternal Kingdom which Jesus Christ is founding in the hearts of His disciples.
Then came September 11, 2001...
National_Park_Service_9-11_Statue_of_Liberty_and_WTC_fireAre you working to usher in earthly governments or God's eternal government?
Are you relying on earthly resources or God's eternal resources?
Are you obsessed with laying up earthly treasures or eternal treasures?Are you treasuring the infinite significance of the eternal kingdom which Jesus Christ is founding in the hearts of His disciples?
Are you engaged in the first work and the chief work of the whole Church ... to give the gospel to the whole world?
Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Related:- adopting God's purpose for the nations is for your joy & His glory (Letter 76 on joy) - more here on J. Campbell White
- our yearnings & desires and God's mission (Isaiah 26:9)
- Are you robbing God? Where is God telling you to "Rise and go!" for the joy of others?
- Links to my posts on Kingdom-Obsessed People
- Lessons from the Slurry Wall: "What Remains When Everything Else Falls Down"
- seek first His Kingdom (letter 43 on assurance & fighting for joy)
- Make war (Herod, blogging, appetites, the glory of God & the Word of God)
- a story of God and mammon: "the Lord's Calf" from Martyn Lloyd-Jones
- who is your master? (Bible Reading - Matthew)
- A Song of Surrender: Aaron Shust's "Give It All Away"
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Comments (10)
The Great Commission is the number one responsibility of the church, but it is not the only function. I fear the Great Commission has been neglected as to the local church in the areas of personal evangelism, church visitation, and congregation training.
I am happy to report that my wife was always strong in that area. Everyone she meets is an opportunity to share the gospel. I have been less zealous.
I also think that if the local church fulfills all of its other Biblical responsibilities, some will be attracted to that church and the Gospel. I recall a church in Ohio. It had an average attendance of 75 for 75 years. Once in awhile, they would have a promotion and attendance would climb to 125 only to drop back to 75.
This church lost several pastors in a row and were thinking about quitting. They elders prayed. The met and decided to study the New Testament to see what the Bible says that they should be doing. The came up with a rigid requirement as to who the next pastor would me---such as not ripping off some other churches pastor who had a good reputation.
The first thing they noticed was teachings on widows. They also just took turns giving the Sunday Morning message. In four years the church grew from an average Sunday attendance of 75 to 600.
Four years later, the new pastor was very concerned that he could be ruining a very good thing, but finally accepted the position.
Blessings,
frank
I don't quote scripture. I don't think Jesus had a bible. But I share with those I feel comfortable with. I trust God's Spirit to know when to speak and when to hold my tongue. Given that America has been so over proselytized by the fake money christians of modern day so they are desensitized to the Message.
It breaks my heart that so many people, I know some, can quote scripture all day, but can't tell me two things they like about God, beyond grace and mercy.
All this compartmentalization stuff has got to go. I hope that Yaweh descends soon and wakes a few people up. Otherwise, he's leaving us to the dogs.
Karen, This is heavy stuff. The fact that God is speaking to us about these things would lead one to think that it's time. Time to put away the trivial and the popular and once again listen for the voice of God. Don't you sense it? I know you do!
The worst thing for the Illuminati would be a Christian Revival. They fear that more than anything. Nice blog. The European Union(The fascist government of brussels) should read the Word Of God but, they don't.
@ANVRSADDAY - If the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached/taught correctly, disciples will be made and the Church will be active and engaged and have an impact in the world, and will end up doing those things you spoke of. The root of Gospel teaching cannot help but grow good fruit. And all that brings glory to God.
@fleurdelisart - Re: quoting Scripture - I hear you. We need to have the knowledge of the Scripture along w/ the love of Christ compelling us. God wants us loving Him not only with our mind, but w/ our heart and soul as well.
Depending on who it is we're speaking with, we may not quote chapter and verse, but as Christians we should be familiar w/ the Scripture and be able and ready to speak to people as God opens doors for us. We see Jesus Himself quoting the Scripture many places as well as the NT saints. And we shouldn't ever be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.
God delights in mercy and He won't return until all His sheep are gathered into His fold. Until then, may He give us the strength and the grace to make the most of the opportunities we have here.
@quest4god@revelife - Time to put away the trivial and the popular and once again listen for the voice of God.
Yes, I've believed that over the last couple years, but even more so today. I've been stunned at how God has been opening my eyes to these things, or rather my heart. Though I've definitely grown in my desire to proclaim Christ over the past couple years, now I am getting an even greater urgency as I see the harvest field as the nations. Yes, of course, I saw and heard that before, but now I am seeing and hearing it in a different way now.
@deathtothenewworldorder - I'd say that even more so all churches should read (really read) the Word of God since, sad to say, many don't anymore. ~ Hosea 4:1ff.
The more that Jesus occupies my heart, the more His Name will come up in my conversation with others easily and without self-consciousness.
@quest4god@revelife - Yes, that's exactly it. Where our treasure is there our heart will be. Whatever's in our heart is what will flow out.