“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:4-5
As a pastor, I spend a significant amount of energy and thought on the health and growth of the church. There are many metrics for determining each. And these metrics cause us to prioritize certain facets of church life over others. But what does God desire to see in our lives as people who seek to know and do His will? How can we live in agreement with God’s heart for His church, His Kingdom, and His mission in the world? Consider the following four answers from the Scriptures.
First, own your gospel story. I Peter 3:15 instructs, “But set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts, and if someone ask you about your Christian hope, always be ready to share it.” The “you” is emphatic, thus referencing “your” personal story or encounter with Jesus Christ.” So, know your own gospel story, and then own it; allow your identity in Christ to supersede your identity as a church member or leader. Do not hesitate to share your story of Jesus with others. And never lose focus of your new life in Christ as the ultimate point of reference for how to love and serve others in the church and in the world.
Second, view your own spiritual growth as the means to the greatest end: living purposeful and missional for the glory of Christ. Spiritual growth centers on God’s Truth and the glory of Christ revealed within His Holy Word. Learning God’s heart, His precepts, and His direction come as significant blessings from studying His Word. And, as we are told in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the end result of studying God’s Word is for the purpose of one being thoroughly equipped for God’s good work (His mission). Bible study and discipleship, and all other Christian disciplines, never constitute the end (the goal), but rather the divinely appointed means (the growth and maturity) to the end: living, serving, and ministering for the glory of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
Third, know your spiritual giftedness. Romans 12:3 reminds us “not to think of ourselves more highly than we should, but to think sensibly as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.” As we grow in faith, we understand not only our redemption, but our calling and purpose as a follower of Jesus. God grows our faith so that we are able to understand the giftedness that has taken place in us through the Holy spirit. As we understand how God has formed our lives, we are then sensitive and responsive to the gifts of the Spirit placed within us. These gifts determine how we specifically serve in the church, and through the church how we thus impact the world.
Fourth, prioritize partnership over participation. Paul wrote in His letter to the Church at Philippi a portion of his prayers for them:
“Always praying with joy for you all in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:4-5)
Approximately ten years before the letter of Philippians was written, the Gospel had been introduced in Philippi. Lives were changed by the truth of Jesus, the number of Christian converts began to grow, and a church was established. The Christians in Philippi supported the spread of the gospel, and even supported Paul’s ministry financially. They were in essence and practice, “all in.” They did not simply see themselves as participants with selective commitments. They understood their calling as partners with Paul, and consequently considered themselves just as responsible for the Gospel ministry as Paul.
So today, our desire should be the same as the Christians of the first century: not selectively involved, but truly in partnership with the whole church in the mission of Jesus Christ.
These four priorities have encouraged me over the years to better align myself with God’s heart for the church. My desire is that you will also daily reconcile yourself to God’s desire for how His children should live as the church and for His Kingdom. In this way we will not grow comfortable with a vague attachment to the things of God but will truly be the church.
I love this reminder from author, Os Guiness: “the call of our creator is the ultimate reason ‘why’ for living.” Discover God’s call for how to live and love, and how to truly be His people – His church.
Blessings,
Ken
