There are two jobs that must be done. Both require your full attention and both are the essential. Both are necessary for your work to progress and move forward. Each of us have probably held jobs or positions that seemingly required more than just one full time position. An example would be the involvement in work and the need to care for family.
The same is true in the arena of church life. There are two tasks that are essential for progress and growth. Without one the other dies. I am simply talking about the task of evangelism and teaching that make up the process of discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20). You see, without the process of evangelism, or an active witness, there is no one to teach. What would the early church of Acts 2 have been if they stayed in the room or stayed silent? Without being witnesses, (Acts 1:8), there is no chance of future spiritual growth in the lives of others simply because no one is around.
At this point an emphasis must be added. Bringing people to Christ is not our job. Pointing people to the Saviour is our job. God’s job is completing the work of salvation. Our job is to be a witness of the salvation. We can not and must not play the role of God and force someone into saying or doing something that indicates to us that they are now “saved.” Coercion is not conversion. However, our witness will provide conviction that will lead to correction and salvation. This is a process where people will gradually move along one step at a time closer to God. At the point of salvation everything changes and the new believer starts growing in God.
This leads us to the second task. This task is equally time consuming and equally important. The task of teaching requires careful quality time spent influencing and training the new believer. Teaching must not be our opinions or rules to follow otherwise we will develop a class of religious leaders like the ones that Jesus constantly criticized. Teaching must be based on God’s Word and the “student” must be coached to a greater understanding and practice of the Bible. As Jesus states they need to be taught to obey to be committed followers of God (Matthew 28:20).
Going and making disciples is a command. The two tasks are involved in the process of making disciples while we go where ever we go that God directs us to go. Without the task of evangelism there is no future for the church and growth. Without the task of teaching God’s Word there is no depth. People will walk away looking for answers that they hoped to find in the church. New believers are a lot of work. They have issues and struggles but they also have excitement about God. On the other hand, older believers have a maturity and balance that is needed to develop and grow others.
So it is time to ask some questions. Which task do you emphasize? What are you and your church doing to complete both tasks at the same time? Perhaps there may be times when one is emphasized more than the other. Be like a tree that is blown in the wind. It always swings back the other way and maintains a balance.
The same is true in the arena of church life. There are two tasks that are essential for progress and growth. Without one the other dies. I am simply talking about the task of evangelism and teaching that make up the process of discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20). You see, without the process of evangelism, or an active witness, there is no one to teach. What would the early church of Acts 2 have been if they stayed in the room or stayed silent? Without being witnesses, (Acts 1:8), there is no chance of future spiritual growth in the lives of others simply because no one is around.
At this point an emphasis must be added. Bringing people to Christ is not our job. Pointing people to the Saviour is our job. God’s job is completing the work of salvation. Our job is to be a witness of the salvation. We can not and must not play the role of God and force someone into saying or doing something that indicates to us that they are now “saved.” Coercion is not conversion. However, our witness will provide conviction that will lead to correction and salvation. This is a process where people will gradually move along one step at a time closer to God. At the point of salvation everything changes and the new believer starts growing in God.
This leads us to the second task. This task is equally time consuming and equally important. The task of teaching requires careful quality time spent influencing and training the new believer. Teaching must not be our opinions or rules to follow otherwise we will develop a class of religious leaders like the ones that Jesus constantly criticized. Teaching must be based on God’s Word and the “student” must be coached to a greater understanding and practice of the Bible. As Jesus states they need to be taught to obey to be committed followers of God (Matthew 28:20).
Going and making disciples is a command. The two tasks are involved in the process of making disciples while we go where ever we go that God directs us to go. Without the task of evangelism there is no future for the church and growth. Without the task of teaching God’s Word there is no depth. People will walk away looking for answers that they hoped to find in the church. New believers are a lot of work. They have issues and struggles but they also have excitement about God. On the other hand, older believers have a maturity and balance that is needed to develop and grow others.
So it is time to ask some questions. Which task do you emphasize? What are you and your church doing to complete both tasks at the same time? Perhaps there may be times when one is emphasized more than the other. Be like a tree that is blown in the wind. It always swings back the other way and maintains a balance.
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