Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Building the Local Church- part 6

  So we're building (not merely growing) the local church. So far, we've set down the blocks of intercessory prayer and evangelism. Good! We have prayer warriors covering our church and soul-winners seeking out the lost sheep. What next? Teaching.  Who said, "Duh"? In most congregations the Pastor is the Teacher, but most churches have other teachers as well. Ok, those of you who said duh (yes, I can hear you) WHAT do we teach????
    Two things: two completely different things, and we need both. 1) Sound doctrine. 2) Faith. By doctrine I mean the teachings of Christ and of the Apostles...theology, Christian conduct, End-Time Eschatology, Church ordinances...What we believe and Why we believe it! Basic Bible knowledge is so lacking these days. How many in your flock can name the 12 Apostles, or the 12 Tribes? If I  name a book, would they know whether it's O.T. or N.T.? "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6 laments.
But God's people need more than knowledge. They need faith. By "faith" I don't mean name-it-and-claim-it, Jesus-make-me-rich faith. I mean old time standing-on-the-promises-of-God faith! Believing what God says even when we don't see it or feel it.
   Yes, faith can be taught: can and should be. You can grow faith in others. Share your testimony, tell how God moved in your life, proclaim answered prayers and miracles. Paul asked the Galatians if they received the Holy Spirit by the works of the law, or "By the hearing of faith" (ch 3:2 & 5). "So then faith comes by hearing" reads Romans 10:17.
   We must teach good doctrine and faith! Our people should be like Timothy, "nourished up in the words of faith AND of good doctrine (Timothy 4:6). God bless, and thanks for stopping by.
 

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