As Christs followers, what is the work God would have us engage in for His Kingdom and Glory? What is our ultimate mission in life to be that is eternal in its significance? Perhaps the following illustration will prove instructive:
(1) Evangelize (Col. 1:28,29) (2) Establish (Col.2:6,7; Isa. 37:31)
(4) Laborer (Matt. 9:36,37) (3) Equip– (2 Tim 3:16,17; Eph. 4:11.12)
|
Overview: As followers of Christ we are to be engaged in evangelizing the lost. Once they respond to Christ as their Lord and Savior we are to help them become established in the faith. Our goal is also to equip them on how to live in a Christ like manner and minister to others. Our final objective for them is that they become laborers in evangelizing, establishing and equipping others, who in turn will do the same. In a word, spiritual multiplication. Lets unpack this concept a little further:
Evangelize: We are to be involved in bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ the Gospel – to the lost in such a way that they have the opportunity of accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior and becoming responsible members of his Body, the Church.
A study of Luke 8 will reveal how Jesus communicated the message of salvation by word and deed. Also, capture Pauls passion for winning the lost in the following passages of Scripture:
For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news of ChristWe proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. (Rom. 15:18,19; Col. 1:28,29)
QUESTION: Does the focus, tenor, and pattern of your life give clear evidence that you are co-laboring with God in the process of bringing people into his Kingdom by word and deed?
Next week we will continue our discussion of evangelizing, establishing, and equipping believers to become laborers for Christ.