73. A People's Church
The winning power of working together
In Your Bible Read This
Acts, Chapter 22
Here Is Your Memory Verse
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation,
a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of
him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
Afterwards Talk About
This
In what practical ways could you all as a royal priesthood
offer the
costly spiritual sacrifices that we have found in the Bible in
this lesson?
Something To Do Before
Next Time
Ask the Lord to direct you into a situation between now and
next time
where you can do something that Jesus did. Then when it happens,
remember this lesson, make no excuses but step out in faith and
in his mighty name.
Written Diploma Work
Write down an explanation of what Jesus asked when he went
to the Father to make it possible for you minister
in the same way that he did. John 14:12
Meditate Word By Word On
This Verse
John 14.12
Who Are You, Lord?
This was the first question on Saul’s lips when he unexpectedly walked into God's glory as he was travelling to Damascus, Acts 22,8-10. As soon as Saul, later to be called Paul, understood that he was in the presence of the risen Lord Jesus, he asked a second question ~
What Shall I Do?
That same question is still upon the lips of many believers today who want to serve the Lord rather than follow worldly ambitions. Sadly, not everyone finds a way of expressing their faith because in some churches everything is done by the professional clergy or the paid leaders, leaving the people little to do except attend platform-led Sunday meetings and pay tithes and offerings without explanation of where it all goes. Instead of being mobilised the church is all too often paralysed.
On the other hand, many pastors complain that there is no one to help them but fail to see the provision of God before them.
The Missions Force Is In The Pews.
The missions force may well be in the pews but an army that does not march never conquers. In the history of the Church there are two clear peaks of amazing growth. You can find them in the first century and in the sixteenth century, in what is called the Reformation.
At those times many of God's people not just the leaders were especially motivated and mobilised and went far and wide telling the good news even under fiery persecution. The army of God marched on in power and the world was shaken.
At some other times in history the clergy even refused to allow the people to read the Scriptures let alone express their gifts and faith. Even today God's very capable people can feel deeply frustrated if they are kept as onlookers, uncertain as how they might serve God as the sermons they frequently hear tell them to.
History also teaches us that if that frustration boils over, or if an alternative presents itself, then an established church can quickly suffer loss. However the Bible teaches us about a better way altogether.
Every Member A Minister.
The apostle Peter writes, " you also...like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God." 1 Peter 2. 5; and see 9 too. The New Testament standard is the priesthood of all believers, not a professional priesthood and that unbiblical word - laity. And have you ever seen what Jesus said that believers can do, in Mark 16, 16-18?
Does This Mean That We Should Not Have Any Church Leaders?
No, not at all. The Bible is very clear that God places leaders in the church, Ephesians 4.11,12, but their chief responsibility is to prepare and release the whole church into the ‘priesthood’ of service that God has planned in advance for each believer. Eph. 2.10.
Yes, of course that is the job of the clergy, but you can, and should still do, all of these things every day, being a priest to the people just where they are.
A well loved missionary was disappointed because he did not see many people healed or delivered when he prayed for them. When he prayed about this the Lord pointed out Acts 10.38 to him and suggested that if he did the first part first as Jesus did - that is going about doing good, then the second part about healing all the oppressed of the devil would follow. Sure enough when he gave himself to do simple acts of kindness then the Lord fulfilled his word with miracles.
Do You Have Faith In Jesus?
Then read what Jesus said in John 14.12. Jesus taught that whatever he did is exactly what anyone of us who has faith in him can do today, in his name.
A wise church leader will help himself and bring great blessing and satis-faction to his people by making sure that every man and woman is trained to be like Jesus and then released under supervision to be a ‘minister’ either at home or a missionary further away. If he will do so then the whole army of God will surely march on in love and conquer all before, and the pastor will no longer have to everything himself.
Turkmenistan |
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| People Name | Language | Population |
| Baluch, Western | Baluchi, Western | 34,000 |
| Tatar | Tatar | 41,000 |