Quote: Church Growth

~ Lessons from The Pearl ~

It is a slow process!

The following is an excerpt from a book.

Pearls are formed through a process called accretion, by which layer after layer is added to create an item of beauty; the Church is being built in the same manner, as the Holy Spirit adds individuals one at a time to the body of Christ. The one precious pearl is being slowly formed as He covers us with His own white robe of righteousness (Ephesians 2:10, 5:27; 1 John 3:2).

The Church knows no distinction between Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, or any other division. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

The Scriptures say in 1 Peter 2:9 referring to the Church, to Christians, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Just as the Church is made up of a special chosen people who are to be different from those around them, so too the pearl is a most unusual gem, different from any other.

The pearl is the only gem which is formed by repeatedly adding small individual layers; so also the Church grows as individuals are added one by one.

~ from “ONE PRECIOUS PEARL: God’s Design for His Church, pgs 64-65  (ISBN: 9780741462329)

Learn more about this important book at Amazon, the Publisher, or the Author’s website.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Lead Leads to Lead!

~ Get The LEAD Out!—A Personal Account ~

Some years ago while driving to work I was convicted about some areas of struggle in my life.  An acrostic came to mind (LEAD) which I had previously developed—and then promptly forgotten for all practical purposes.

The relevant passage is “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

The image that had come to mind was of lead training weights worn around the belt of distance runners, or even more graphically the image of lead weights worn by deep sea divers of years past—designed to cause him to sink.  My acrostic related to the LEAD weights in my own spiritual life.  At that time my acrostic stood for “Lust – Eating – Attitudes – Driving aggressively.”  But during that drive to work my acrostic changed slightly and I also thought about the implications of a second meaning of the word lead—to lead others in a correct path.  “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Lust  ~  The word lust is related not only to the sexual area but to any excessive desire which is not pleasing to God.  Examples include the lust of materialism, wealth, recognition, fame, etc.  There are many areas which call for constant vigilance since Satan, our enemy attacks us in our most individually vulnerable areas.  “Keep a cool head.  Stay alert.  The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.  Keep your guard up” (1 Peter 5:8-9, The Message).  I must keep my guard up—because I am responsible for my own behavior.

Eating  ~  Frankly stated, left to my own desires, I can eat like a pig!  I can eat simply because food is there and as long as food is there.  There might be something in my past which causes my wrong attitudes to food.  I must keep my guard up—because I am responsible for my own behavior.

Attitudes  ~  This is an all encompassing area.  Some specific attitudes I continually work on include: eating, work (including use of time and thoughts towards some coworkers, etc.), as well as quick judgment of others that I come in contact with.  I must keep my guard up—because I am responsible for my own behavior.

Driving  ~  A life-long habit of competitive and sometimes aggressive driving needs continual attention.  I must keep my guard up—because I am responsible for my own behavior.

By God’s grace and with His help I will continue to focus on these four areas and constantly improve my behavior to become a more pleasing vessel for God.

practical application  ~  The more I am able to cast off the lead as I run the spiritual race, the more fit I will be to lead others both in both spiritual and non-spiritual areas.

The Apostle Paul said, “You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race.  Everyone runs; one wins.  Run to win.  All good athletes train hard.  They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades.  You’re after one that’s gold eternally.  I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line.  I’m giving it everything I’ve got.  No sloppy living for me!  I’m staying alert and in top condition.  I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, The Message).

reflect upon this  ~  “A man without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls” (Proverbs 25:28, TLB).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Christ in Proverbs

~ Jesus Christ is The Wise Son and Our Source of Wisdom ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

The Book of Proverbs is all about wisdom—God’s wisdom in particular.  Jesus Christ is our wisdom.  Throughout the book we find a Beloved Son being urged to listen to the teaching and advise of His parents—particularly His Father.  The book presents the choice and differences between a wise walk and foolish behavior.  Both have significant attraction but wisdom is the path to true value and happiness.  If the Son chooses to follow the path of wisdom, His life will be happy and have the Father’s approval.  If, however, the Son chooses the folly of foolish behavior, He will fall into many traps.  The question is which will the Son choose.  That is also the question facing each of us today. 

As a side note, it is interesting to notice that the Scriptures only provide one account about our Lord Jesus Christ in His adolescent years.  This is, of course, a critical time in development when parental wisdom is crucial. 

We read, “His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.  And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.  When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem.  And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.  So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.  Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.  And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.  So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.’  And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me?  Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’ But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.  Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart”(Luke 2:41-51). 

At the age of twelve Jesus was in the temple listening to wise teachers and interacting with them.  He was obedient to His parents and went home with them as asked.  But don’t miss the conclusion of this insightful passage,  “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). 

Summary  ~  Jesus Christ, the Messiah, modeled the role of the wise Son. 

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in Proverbs.  Much more could be said about each of the previous examples.

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).