DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT - TUESDAY: “Church, Face Up To The Challenge!”

"Revival and evangelism, although closely linked, are not to be confused. Revival is an experience in the Church; evangelism is an expression of the Church." - Paul S. Rees.
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I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. -- Rev 3:11-12.

Jesus is coming soon for His Church! Make no mistake about that, He is coming to deliver us from this earth, at the hour of trial and tribulation! People can argue all they want about when, but the truth is, He said He is coming and that’s that! So get ready, prepare yourself for His coming again by ‘Holding Fast’ to what we have, so that the no one can steal our crown of righteousness and life!

He is coming only to those Churches who faithfully hold on to Jesus Christ and His word… I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. -- Rev 3:8. As my friend Dan from Cerulean Sanctum wrote in his post… ‘Apart from me, you can do nothing!”

The task ahead of you is never greater than the power behind you. – Author Unknown.

As a church grows, it is likely to face various challenges, in that, The devil would certainly love to hinder us in our work… because we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, again and again--but Satan hindered us. -- 1Thes 2:18.

How he does this may not always be evident, as he is a great deceiver… But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. -- 2 Cor 11:3.

We must therefore take up the challenge to "Hold on..." Accepting any challenges the devil might throw our way, knowing that our efforts to be "steadfast" are not for nothing… Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.-- 1 Cor 15:58.

THE WORLD NEEDS MEN...
who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances; who will not lose their individuality in a crowd; who will be as honest in small things as in great things; who will make no compromise with wrong; whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires; who will not say they do it" because everybody else does it"; who are true to their friends through good report and evil report, in adversity as well as in prosperity; who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success; who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular; who can say "no" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "yes." -- Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p.107-8.

Let us look at some challenges that churches must meet to serve the Lord faithfully...

WE MUST REMEMBER WHAT OUR WORK IS ALL ABOUT

To Be Equipped For Ministry (EDIFICATION).
We have the provision for the spiritual growth of each member… And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, -- Eph 4:11-12.

This is how the body continues to grow… Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. -- Eph 4:15-16.

We are to provoke one another to love and good deeds, the very reason we are meeting together… And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. -- Heb 10:24-25. Is each one of us doing what we can to help other Christians to grow?

TO SOUND FORTH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST (EVANGELISM). Like the church at Thessalonica… For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything --1Thess 1:8. Through individual and collective efforts, we must "sow the seed." Is each one of us doing what we can to spread the gospel?

As our Churches grow, it becomes tempting to slack off, but we must expand...

TO PROVIDE FOR NEEDY (BENEVOLENCE).
Even if there is no need locally, there may be needy people in other places… And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." -- Mat 10:42. Is each one of us doing what we can to see that needs are being met?

Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire, Let me not sink to be a clod: Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God. - Amy Carmichael.

The work of the local church goes far beyond providing a place where people can simply worship from week to week. We should be preparing ourselves to work! Will we meet the challenges?

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to hold fast to Jesus and His word, so that no one can steal my crown from me! Help me Lord to disciple others, to communicate the gospel and to provide for the needy through your resources! In Jesus mighty name! Amen!