Sit and stay, or go and do?

[ShagNappy]

At what point in the Bible did God, Jesus or a disciple give us the idea that we should build homes and church buildings and communities and establish roots and create for ourselves a "home" that most of us would never leave except for the occasional vacation? When did the idea that a church was more than a place to support the elderly and widows and train up believers before we commenced fulfilling the Great Commission? Are we really only to send a handful of people, missionaries, while the rest of us sit around fat and happy and comfortable? When did anything big happen in the Bible that did not begin with, "Go, leave it all behind?"

This is something I have had on my heart the past couple weeks since a really good discussion in Sunday school class. We have created lives that seem to me to be the antithesis of the Great Commission which we are all under. Recently, while discussing this topic, someone said, "We were not meant to be settled, we were meant to be sent."

 

[Gorship]

I think churches and buildings are biblical, same with homes, I mean the disciples went to homes, and the churches got letters written to them etc. However, we are all on "mission", I disagree with the idea, that only some are called to witness. The great comission is for all (I think we would all agree). Now the gift of evangelism is for some, and being on mission across the country maybe something that only a few out of your church are called to do. However where we all are on mission in our local area, and should desire to see the great comission come to fruition and seek and save that which is lost and disciple and raise up generations to go out and do the same.
---
Ma 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
---

im paraphrasing, but I believe it was spurgeon who said that 'if people are going to go to hell, let them do so over our dead bodies'. A lot of people in my church don't like witnessing or door knocking or talking to their friends, Personally i think its a lack of the fear of Hell and what happens to those who aren't saved.

Just my personal conviction anyway.

 

[saturneptune]

im paraphrasing, but I believe it was spurgeon who said that 'if people are going to go to hell, let them do so over our dead bodies'. A lot of people in my church don't like witnessing or door knocking or talking to their friends, Personally i think its a lack of the fear of Hell and what happens to those who aren't saved.

Just my personal conviction anyway.

I think it is sheer laziness.

 

[saturneptune]

At what point in the Bible did God, Jesus or a disciple give us the idea that we should build homes and church buildings and communities and establish roots and create for ourselves a "home" that most of us would never leave except for the occasional vacation? When did the idea that a church was more than a place to support the elderly and widows and train up believers before we commenced fulfilling the Great Commission? Are we really only to send a handful of people, missionaries, while the rest of us sit around fat and happy and comfortable? When did anything big happen in the Bible that did not begin with, "Go, leave it all behind?"

This is something I have had on my heart the past couple weeks since a really good discussion in Sunday school class. We have created lives that seem to me to be the antithesis of the Great Commission which we are all under. Recently, while discussing this topic, someone said, "We were not meant to be settled, we were meant to be sent."

Are you a real estate agent?

 

[Oldtimer]

At what point in the Bible did God, Jesus or a disciple give us the idea that we should build homes and church buildings and communities and establish roots and create for ourselves a "home" that most of us would never leave except for the occasional vacation? When did the idea that a church was more than a place to support the elderly and widows and train up believers before we commenced fulfilling the Great Commission? Are we really only to send a handful of people, missionaries, while the rest of us sit around fat and happy and comfortable? When did anything big happen in the Bible that did not begin with, "Go, leave it all behind?"

This is something I have had on my heart the past couple weeks since a really good discussion in Sunday school class. We have created lives that seem to me to be the antithesis of the Great Commission which we are all under. Recently, while discussing this topic, someone said, "We were not meant to be settled, we were meant to be sent."

Yes, we are to be sent. The distance we travel, IMO, isn't the issue. Some are called to go to far reaches of the earth. For others, their travel only needs to be across the driveway to a lost neighbor's home. Or, down the hall, at work to another office. Or to an isle in the grocery store where we meet a lost friend.

Yes, we are all under the Great Commission. We are to:
1. Love our God.
2. Love our neighbors as ourselves.
3. Share the Gospel with all nations (all people).

Unless God calls us to do otherwise, our Great Commission is to share the Gospel with the people around us. Leaving behind anything that prevents us from doing so.

In the community that surrounds your home and mine, according to scripture, many (most?) are lost. (Narrow path & gate) IMO, they need to hear the Gospel as much as people living in a 3rd world country. IMO, when God calls missionaries to go to those countries, He puts the responsibility squarely on those He doesn't call to travel great distances, to fulfill the Great Commission right where we walk and talk. Leaving behind anything (excuses) that would prevent us from doing so.

IMO, the Great Commission is fulfilled whether we fly 3,000 miles or walk a city block, when we GO to share God's word.

Just my 2-cents. :flower:

 

[ShagNappy]

IMO, the Great Commission is fulfilled whether we fly 3,000 miles or walk a city block, when we GO to share God's word.

You are right. I did a terrible job of explaining my position, it was late. You did a better job of it. And it is something that seems to be lost on churches, at least here in the States. Everything we do is about becoming settled and comfortable. Plush churches with all the latest gadgets. It's not about training people up to go and do, but rather making it exciting and comfortable so they keep coming back. (For the record, this is not a contemporary vs. traditional thing, both do the same thing, just different methods.) We buy homes and cars and gadgets and things and put ourselves in the position of "I can't go to visitation tonight, I have to work overtime to pay for all of this." "I have worked all week, I can't be at church tonight to help with games for the bus kids. I am exhausted." "The game is on my 61" High Def TV tonight, I can't help serve meals at the mission." "I drive 120 miles round trip to work, I can't drive 10 miles to church to help with VBS."

It seems like the church as a whole has convinced itself that we don't have to worry with it, we gave to Annie Armstrong, or Lottie Moon. "Those people" do it for us. It seems institutionalized as if it is a command handed down from God. I would also put forth that this is a not modern happening. When did Christians decide it was about 2.5 kids, a house, 2 cars, and not about the Great Commission, all in?

I understand not everyone is going to pack up and head across the street or across the world. Someone has to preach and someone has to teach, and someone has to care for the elderly and widows. However, it seems we decided that most of us are to do that rather than going, and that seems backwards to me.

 

[ShagNappy]

Are you a real estate agent?

:laugh: Nope....

 

[HankD]

The church is a "militant" organization at war with the prince of darkness.

I was in the military during the Vietnam Era, stationed in upstate NY in an Intelligence and Information squadron (BMEWS, SAC, TAC...). I saw no battles but nonetheless we were essential to strategies and tactics in Nam.

The church as well, if there were none now in the 21st century to administrate, plan, manage, teach, give, prepare and send and pray behind the lines of battle there would be no missions.

Balance? Well that's another issue.

HankD

 

[HisWitness]

At what point in the Bible did God, Jesus or a disciple give us the idea that we should build homes and church buildings and communities and establish roots and create for ourselves a "home" that most of us would never leave except for the occasional vacation? When did the idea that a church was more than a place to support the elderly and widows and train up believers before we commenced fulfilling the Great Commission? Are we really only to send a handful of people, missionaries, while the rest of us sit around fat and happy and comfortable? When did anything big happen in the Bible that did not begin with, "Go, leave it all behind?"

This is something I have had on my heart the past couple weeks since a really good discussion in Sunday school class. We have created lives that seem to me to be the antithesis of the Great Commission which we are all under. Recently, while discussing this topic, someone said, "We were not meant to be settled, we were meant to be sent."

The problem is that we think men ought to choose to go and do themselves--and when they are pressured enough by us--they do it just to make us happy or get us off of them--when all the time God has NEVER called them to do those things--MEN has called them--Jesus said concerning John--that what if he would have John to just sit there till he come again and do nothing ??? not your or my concern what others do--do what god has called you to do and pray that God would call others to labor in the vineyard--Not up to you nor I to force men to be labourers--that's God's Job-let him do it

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

Amen...!

:saint:

Yes, we are to be sent. The distance we travel, IMO, isn't the issue. Some are called to go to far reaches of the earth. For others, their travel only needs to be across the driveway to a lost neighbor's home. Or, down the hall, at work to another office. Or to an isle in the grocery store where we meet a lost friend.

Yes, we are all under the Great Commission. We are to:
1. Love our God.
2. Love our neighbors as ourselves.
3. Share the Gospel with all nations (all people).

Unless God calls us to do otherwise, our Great Commission is to share the Gospel with the people around us. Leaving behind anything that prevents us from doing so.

In the community that surrounds your home and mine, according to scripture, many (most?) are lost. (Narrow path & gate) IMO, they need to hear the Gospel as much as people living in a 3rd world country. IMO, when God calls missionaries to go to those countries, He puts the responsibility squarely on those He doesn't call to travel great distances, to fulfill the Great Commission right where we walk and talk. Leaving behind anything (excuses) that would prevent us from doing so.

IMO, the Great Commission is fulfilled whether we fly 3,000 miles or walk a city block, when we GO to share God's word.

Just my 2-cents. :flower:

Amen Brother....that was worth FAR MORE than 2-cents. You nailed it! I just wish I could be (or would be) as bold in my witness out there as I am in here.

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

[Oldtimer]

:saint:

Amen Brother....that was worth FAR MORE than 2-cents. You nailed it! I just wish I could be (or would be) as bold in my witness out there as I am in here.

Bro.Greg:saint:

You and me BOTH, Brother. Thinking and typing :type: is a whole lot easier than thinking and talking. I can backspace when fingers don't get the words to say what I mean, first time around. Haven't found a backspace tool yet that works on what the tongue gets wrong. Suspect that's why 'practice what we preach' is so important to those who hear what our vocal cords produce.

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

Well Said...

You and me BOTH, Brother. Thinking and typing :type: is a whole lot easier than thinking and talking. I can backspace when fingers don't get the words to say what I mean, first time around. Haven't found a backspace tool yet that works on what the tongue gets wrong. Suspect that's why 'practice what we preach' is so important to those who hear what our vocal cords produce.

There is a reason God gave us only ONE tongue...and two of everything else we need to communicate. I will have to say that I enjoy THIS medium of communication (typing) much more than talking because it is far more easily "correctable". There are some here though that don't even take advantage of that aspect or feature of this means of communication. I try to review and correct everything I type/write here BEFORE I hit "submit". When I am (verbally) talking...I tend to get all twisted up in my words and say things I regret. I'm a far better witness online that I have ever been "out there". When I'm talking in person I never seem to get everything said that I wanted to get said. Also, there is no rewind on hastily spoken or ill-advised words. I'm always praying that the Lord would help me to do better and be a more effective witness. If all else fails...give out tracts...A good tract keeps on talking long after the bearer has departed. I love tracts.

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

[saturneptune]

:saint:

Amen Brother....that was worth FAR MORE than 2-cents. You nailed it! I just wish I could be (or would be) as bold in my witness out there as I am in here.

Bro.Greg:saint:

I totally agree with you and OT that distance has very little to do with telling others about Jesus. I live in what is considered to be part of the Bible Belt. The county I live in has more Baptist churches than any other denomination. Most are SBC, Independent and a scattering of primitive and free will. Even with all the Baptist churches, the Protestant lines, the Catholic churches, the one Mormon church, two JW churches, one Jewish temple, and one Church of Christ Scientists, only 40% of the population in my county attend church on any given Sunday. There is a ripe field right here. I cannot imagine what the figures are outside the Bible Belt. Perhaps someone from the northeast or the West Coast could address that.

Also, I do not think that one can consider gaining church members that were members of another church and got mad for whatever reason as a victory towards bringing people to Christ.

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

Amen....and Oh Me!!!

I totally agree with you and OT that distance has very little to do with telling others about Jesus. I live in what is considered to be part of the Bible Belt. The county I live in has more Baptist churches than any other denomination. Most are SBC, Independent and a scattering of primitive and free will. Even with all the Baptist churches, the Protestant lines, the Catholic churches, the one Mormon church, two JW churches, one Jewish temple, and one Church of Christ Scientists, only 40% of the population in my county attend church on any given Sunday. There is a ripe field right here. I cannot imagine what the figures are outside the Bible Belt. Perhaps someone from the northeast or the West Coast could address that.

Also, I do not think that one can consider gaining church members that were members of another church and got mad for whatever reason as a victory towards bringing people to Christ.

If you live in the "Bible Belt" then our area may be the BUCKLE.......or somewhere near it! Inspite of all the churches in our area we certainly aren't setting the world on fire. There are some good ones...but the majority are probably closer to being family entertainment centers.

As for the second part of your post that I highlighted, I think that is probably true as well. I'm fairly sure that most of the new members that joined our fellowship thus far this year have come "on letter" from other churches. We have had some salvations and baptisms (thankfully) but the majority came by letter. I personally don't care for the practice of "church-hopping". If you ever find the perfect church...don't join it....you'll only mess it up! (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!)

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

[salzer mtn]

Family Cares

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 1 Cor 7:32-35