Aim at the Target, Part 4 of 5

Maybe the reason so many churches are dying is that at some point they have lost the desire to accomplish God’s goal. After all, even a small church can support a missionary, help send a student to Bible College, or help the homeless. Once the wagons are circled, death is imminent. Death is certain unless a church is willing to open up and love those for whom Jesus died.

The New Testament is replete with “one another” passages. The truth is these passages can never be fulfilled without a zeal for missions. A partial list is given below.

• Love One Another, John 15:17
• Confess Sins to One Another, James 5:16
• Pray for One Another, James 5:16
• Forgive One Another, Ephesians 4:32
• Bear One Another’s Burdens, Galatians 6:2
• Teach & Admonish One Another, Colossians 3:16
• Be Subject to One Another, Ephesians 5:21
• Encourage One Another, 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Serve One Another, Galatians 5:13
• Rejoice with Each Other, 1 Corinthians 12:26
• Weep with One Another, Romans 12:15
• Care for One Another, 1 Corinthians 12:25
• Depend on One Another, Romans 12:5
• Be of the Same Mind Toward one Another, Romans 12:16
• Show Hospitality to One Another, 1 Peter 4:9
• Fellowship with One Another, 1 John 1:7

The only possible reason for Jesus leaving His church here on earth is for the church to help others find salvation in Jesus. Therefore if that is the church’s objective, is it any wonder why God blesses churches that are focused on people getting to know our Savior?

“Churches grow best if they find a model God is blessing.” –Carl George

More tomorrow!