By Bro. Sunday Eyanrin (Evangelist)
E‐mail: Eyanrin@yahoo.com GSM. 08037370296
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Introduction
Brethren, it has become necessary that we remind ourselves that, the growth of the local congregation solely depends on the attitude of her members towards the work of the Church. It is on this basis the LORD has put in place such necessary provisions in Ephesians 4:11‐16.
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14
that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. NKJV
Church growth is enhanced when each member does his or her part as a member of the Body (The Church).
Definition
For this message to achieve its desired purpose, it has become necessary that we define the key word of our topic: “ATTITUDE”.
What Is Attitude
ATTITUDE – Can be simply defined as the way you think, or feel about something or someone.
ATTITUDE – Can sometimes be define as a behaviour that shows you do not care about other people’s opinions and that you want to do things in an individual way. Brethren, we must all recognize the fact that, we are all called by God, into God’s kingdom (The Church) as Citizens. Eph. 2:19 ‐ 22.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. NKJV
The Mission of the Church The New Testament Church is God’s only spiritual agency in the world. Her main concern is the saving of lost souls. Because, the world is lost in sin. It is on this basis God’s plan for salvation to all humanity was offered through His Son Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. NKJV
In John 3:16‐17, the scriptures declared.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. NKJV
The basic mission of the church therefore are:
1. Evangelism
2. Edification
3. Benevolence
The greatest of these three is Evangelism. The primary mission of the New Testament Church is to evangelize the whole world for Christ. Every member of the Church is part of this work. Educated or uneducated. No one is exempted in this great work, weather male or female, old or young, rich or poor. Only those who are sick, or other‐ wise are exempted.
To actualize this work, let us consider some basic attitudes required;
1. Attitude Towards God
2. Attitude Towards Brethren
3. Attitude Towards The Work Of The Church
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS GOD?
Brethren, do we sometimes realize that, we are saved by Grace? The unmerited favour of God? Instead of death (Rom.6:23a), He gave us salvation through His Son. And we are translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His Love. Col. 1:13.
WHAT THEN IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS GOD?
Let us consider some attitudes we display before God;
1. Unthankful To God.
2. Lovers Of Self More Than God
3. Unbelieve
4. Forsaking the worship of God, giving preference to personal interest such as; going to the bush – market, or attending to business transactions, or other activities etc.
LET US CONSIDER THE RIGHT ATTITUDE NEEDED TOWARDS GOD
1. LOVE ‐ In Deut. 6:4 ‐ 5, The Lord commanded the children of Israel saying, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
In the New Testament, in Matt. 22:36‐38, one of the Pharisees, a lawyer was asking Jesus, Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. NKJV
2. FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD
We must have strong conviction in GOD. In Hebrews 11:1 the Scripture declared, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” and in verse 6…”And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him”.
ATTITUDE TOWARDS BRETHREN
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS YOUR BRETHREN?
It is sometimes amazing to observe that as Brethren, these attitudes are found in us.
We hate one another
We don’t trust one another
we lie to one another
We jealous one another
We don’t love one another
LET US CONSIDER THE RIGHT ATTITUDES NEEDED TOWARDS BRETHREN
1. LOVE ‐ Brethren, must be bond with unfading “LOVE” ‐ In Rom 12:9‐13, Apostle by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit declared.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. NKJV
Our Lord Jesus Christ in answering the question of the lawyer In Matt. 22:37‐40 declared,“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the
Prophets.” NKJV
2. UNITY – Brethren, without controversy, it is absolutely necessary that brethren should be in unity. In Psalm.133:1’ the Psalmist declared; Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! NKJV
ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE WORK OF THE CHURCH
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE WORK OF THE CHURCH?
Beloved, do you know that the “CHURCH” (ekklessia) is the called out body of God? Do you know that the Church is God’s only Agency to do His work, and you are one? Do you think this work belongs to the Elders, or the Evangelist? Do you know that you will give account for this your negligence one day? Beloved, do you know that you have been enrolled in to God’s Army as a Soldier of Christ? Why then, when duty calls you are not there?
ATTITUDES NEEDED IN CONGREGATIONAL WORK
After the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, before His ascension back to heaven, He commissioned his Apostles, and by implication the CHURCH. He declared. Matt. 28:18‐20.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. NKJV
In Mark16:15‐16 ‐ And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
This is a command to all who are properly baptized into the Church of Christ ‐ HE SAID GO… John 14:15‐16, Jesus declared, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever NKJV.
In Rom.1:16‐17 Apostle Paul declared, 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” NKJV
Beloved, are you ready to repent of this attitude of neglecting this command of the Lord?
Matt 16:27‐28 declared, For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. NKJV
1 Cor. 3:8 – 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour. NKJV.
Edification
Edification is another work we must all be involved, Jesus declared in Matt.28:20.
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. NKJV
2 Tim 2:15 – 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim. 2:1‐2
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. KJV
Benevolence
Benevolence is the act of helping those who are in need among Brethren in the Church. Like we mention in Edification, without Evangelism and conversion of souls, there will be no need talking about Benevolence. The history of benevolence in the New Testament Church emanates from the Jerusalem Church.
BENEVOLENCE CAN BE CLASSIFIED IN TO TWO GROUP
(a) COLLECTIVE BENEVOLENCE
(b) PERSONAL BENEVOLENCE
COLLECTIVE BENEVOLENCE –
This is another work of the Church. The Act of helping the needy.
Example: Rom 15:25‐26
25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. NKJV
2 Cor. 8:1‐5
8 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. NKJV
PERSONAL BENEVOLENCE
Personal Benevolence ‐ Is the act of helping one another. Doing good to those who are in need. Gal.6:10, Acts.9: 36‐43,
Gal 6:10 – Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. NKJV.
CONCLUSION
We are going to conclude this discussion with yet another Attitude needed, but neglected by almost all Brethren.
VISITATION
This is another important work that helps to encourage the weak in the Church. But with the negative attitude of Brethren, I am not an Elder, or the Evangelist, let them do the visitation. Beloved, it is the responsibility of all saints to visit and encourage one another.
…By visiting, we can revive the weak among us. We must not neglect to visit. Remember the word of the Lord in Matt 25:36‐40
I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to
You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.‘ NKJV
Brother James in James 1:27, declared, Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
My dearly beloved, Our attitude towards congregational work can be achieved if we are able to put in place all we have alighted in this discussion, and by so doing the congregation will begin to grow.
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