I know “Relaunch” is not recognized
by my spell checker as a word but I want to, over the next series of weeks, to
introduce it as a God-led concept and an appropriate consideration for our
church at this present time. I continue to believe that God has called us to
this place “for such a time as this,” and is ready to build His church. I want
to share with you some important theological points gathered from my doctoral
work. The first is:
God Commands
the Church to Grow
The rationale for this process begins with the great commission
of our Lord. While there is a commissioning statement in three gospels the most
profound and detailed one is found in Matthew 28:19-20[1].
Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end
of the age.”[2]
The apostles are commanded to make disciples, to multiply themselves, and to
train those disciples so that they may continue to multiply and repeat the
process. Jesus has the authority to make such a demand on these leaders of the
soon to be sanctioned church as He mentions in Matt. 28:18.
This
connection between the authority of Jesus and the fulfilling of the tasks now
assigned to the disciples and those who come after them in Matthew’s and every
church is made plain in the connective οὖν, “therefore.” Jesus’ authority (v. 18) and his presence (v.
20) will empower his disciples to fulfill the commission he now gives them.[3]
Having
the authority and the promised presence of Jesus Himself, the church has the
power to do what is commanded. He has stated before His sovereign rights given
Him by God as in John 3:35 where he states that “all things have been given to
me by my Father,” but here it is amplified because of His resurrected state.
Paul further explains this authority in Eph. 1:20-23 where he recognizes Jesus
at the right hand, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and
every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”[4]
This passage goes on to say that all things are in subjection to Him, under His
feet, He is head of the church, and fills it with His presence. Jesus’ authority
is supreme and unmatched whether we
recognize it or not. Jesus amplifies this promise by placing a time stamp on it
with the words “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [5]
The Holy Spirit will Himself descend upon the apostles to bring this about.
So if God is sovereign, His command
is clear, and He has promised to build His church, the issue must be with us. I
believe at Fellowship we need to recognize the authority of Jesus and how that
applies to believing in His empowerment and following His command.
Please continue to read future posts
and newsletters as we explore the purpose of our church.
[1] There are
several commissions of varying force: Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47;
Acts: 1:8. Luke 14:16-24 is the parable of the dinner and could be understood
as a commission to invite people to a relationship with God, though its primary
meaning is more about the people’s response than the invitation.
I
will reference the New American Standard Bible for all Bible quotes unless
otherwise noted.
[3] D. A. Hagner, Matthew
14-28, Word Biblical Commentary, ed.
Ralph P. Martin, Vol 33B (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 2002), 886.
[4] Eph. 1:20-23
[5] Matt. 28:20
