3 minute read
What Is Missing?
from March 2020
by Jeff Greer
18 // March 2020 Dr. Jeff Greer, founder of The Place Of Grace Ministries, has been serving churches through teaching, preaching, discipleship, financial training and music for forty years. He and his wife, Laura, live in Ringgold and are Dave Ramsey Certified Financial Coaches. You may contact them at theplaceofgrace@comcast.net or 423.400.8761. About The Author A ctions speak louder than words.
Advertisement
Acts 2:44-47: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 4:32-35: “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.”
What is the difference between today’s Church and the New Testament Church? They saw thousands saved while everything we do to try to reach our community seems to fail. In the verses above, I see two marked differences.
First, they were unified. They had a common goal of sharing the Gospel. Everything they did had an end goal of fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Today, witnessing and making disciples is an afterthought. Either we don’t know how or don’t care. Or both.
If we don’t have a common goal, we will never achieve anything. Second, and most notable, they had all things in common. Our community can only see the love of Christ when we show it to them by how we care for one another. Unfortunately, today’s Church is marked by selfishness. We do what we want with little concern for others in God’s family.
And the community notices. They see we do not pay our pastors a living wage. They see our pastors having to work a second or third job to meet the needs of their families. The church is in violation of 1 Corinthians 9:14: “The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” The community also notices that there are people in our churches whose basic needs are not being met. Some members have an abundance that they keep to themselves while others struggle with the choice to buy food or medicine. God never intended that His Church behave in any such fashion.
The Book of Acts left us an example of how the Church is supposed to operate or function. We are to care for and love each other so much that we couldn’t possibly consider spending any money on ourselves when we know a brother or sister is in need.
1 John 3:17-18 says, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” Agape love has nothing to do with what we say and everything to do with how we act.
If we want to reach the lost in our community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we must start by repairing the division in our churches. When they can see that we truly love each other, they will want to hear about the One who changed our lives.
Actions do speak louder than words. ? ? ? ? ? ? ??
Boynton United Methodist Church Spring Into Wellness Workshop Friday, March 13 | 11:30AM - 2:00PM Parkway Baptist Church Jordan Family Band Sunday, March 22 | 5PM 65 Stuart Road, Fort Oglethorpe, GA Covenant Life Worship Center 2020 Men’s Wild Game Dinner Saturday, March 21 | 5PM Held At Ridgeland High School 2478 Happy Valley Road, Rossville, GA Faith Builders International The Remnant Youth Worship & Bible Study 8309 Hwy 41, Ringgold, GA 30736 Wednesday Nights @ 7PM
