Where Did It Go The Fire Of The Early Church?

 

Did just God send Jesus his Son to suffer and die to set us free from the curse and dominion of sin, so that we would have a prospered, problem-free life, and be passive Christians who just attend weekly church services, and even some evangelistic seminars and events from time to time? Is the current WESTERN CHURCH really following the New Testament standard and model of the EARLY CHURCH? 

We must remember that the disciples of the Early Church were continually filled of God's Spirit and very united in spirit, helping each other and even living together as a family, to advance the Kingdom very rapidly and with all boldness and signs and miracles, in the middle of strong opposition and persecution. (Acts 2:42-47; 4:23-37.)

They were constantly guided by the Holy Spirit and going from places to places to spread the Gospel, without any need of asking permission to a leader or "man with authority" who normally belongs to a pyramidal structure of controlling leadership and rigid programs, like we sadly see it in the present Western Church. In fact, that sort of "red tape" and bureaucracy would had easily and rapidly cool off the fiery faith and obedience and efforts of the Early Church to accomplish Jesus' important commission. (Acts chapters 1-14.)

CHURCH in Greek ('Ecclesia') means "THE CALLED OUT", and not a building or even a place where believers meet together regularly. Real CHURCH is formed of LIVING STONES of active, faithful disciples who are constantly in close  fellowship with God and other fellow disciples, and who continually obey the great commission of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature, at all times and places! (1Peter 2:1-5; Mark 16:15-18.)

There is no church and church growth if first there are no disciples who are fully repented and filled with the fire of God's Holy Spirit and Word, consecrated to die daily to themselves and be on-fire witnesses who confess and proclaim Christ at every opportunity, with real boldness and fire! (Mark 8:34-38; Romans 10:6-18; 2Timothy 1:6-7; 2:1-13.)

Every fully born-again believer should be a faithful, loving disciple who invests most of his/her time and efforts and resources to be a witness for Jesus at every opportunity, at the same time that has an intimate relationship with God and Jesus, for personal edification by praying in the Holy Spirit, and for the renewing of the mind by meditating on the Holy Word. (Acts chapter 8; James 1:17-27; 2:14-26; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2Thessalonians 2:13-17; 1John 1:1-3; Jude 20-21.)

JESUS didn't suffer and die just to save souls who just live for themselves and sit around and do nothing or very little for the Kingdom, just waiting for Jesus to come back one day. JESUS died to save souls who, out of a thankful heart, are eager to deny and die to themselves, are willing to suffer shame and persecution for the gospel's sake, and obey Him by constantly sharing the good news of freedom of God's Kingdom, and healing and freeing those who are lost and are longing and searching for real, everlasting freedom. (Mark 8:34-38; 2Corinthians 5:14-21.)

The two GREATEST COMMANDMENTS that Jesus quoted are to love God with all our hearts and our neighbour as ourselves. Putting these two commandments into effect should be the main focus of our faith. (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-37.)

For that, we should put God first in our life, and obey his commandment and will, just out of gratitude and love for Him, as Jesus did on Earth, which is to really WORK in God's harvest to ADVANCE God's Kingdom rapidly, by going out to proclaim the good news of redemption of mankind and reconciliation to God, through the shedding of the holy blood of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 9:35-38; Luke 10:1-2; Romans 5:6-11.)

Jesus commanded his disciples to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, teaching them the truth of the gospel, which is the power unto salvation. That means that we also must be active witnesses who faithfully and openly proclaim the GOOD NEWS of repentance to God and forgiveness of sins in Christ and the Holy Spirit's inflow, at the same time that we heal the sick and free the oppressed in the name of Jesus, with real love and boldness! (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 2:38-39; 5:30-32; Romans 1:16-17.)

We must pray and ask God to help us to forget ourselves  and our reputation and our own plans, and even our own personal desires of pursuing a carrier or a well-paid job, and also to get out of our daily well-being and comfort-zone. Second, we must pray for real hunger for God's Word and Spirit, as well as for love for Him and for the brethren in Christ and for the lost souls. Third, we must turn away and drop all false doctrines of men and traditions of the current Western Church, and start studying God's Word methodically and in its full context, through the direct teaching and revelation of God's Holy Spirit. Fourth, we must gather and unite with other disciples, with the idea to edify each other, and even live and work together to advance the Kingdom. And fifth, we must ask God to give us a broken heart to love those around, and be Jesus for others at all times and places--bringing Him and God our Father in all our conversations with others, and making Them both the centre of our life in whatever we say or do.

We must go back and live the foundational principles of the truth of God's Word, like the Early Church did in the past--focusing only in loving and serving God by faithfully doing Jesus' Great Commission! This is the only way for real REVIVAL to appear, when the church becomes KINGDOM MINDED and just focuses on sowing and reaping the GREAT HARVEST of lost potential disciples, who are READY and awaiting to enter in God's Heavenly Kingdom. There is no time to waste!

JESUS said: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not DO what I say? Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who DOES the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” (Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21) "'My food is to DO the will of God Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His WORK. Do you not say, 'It is still four months until harvest time comes?' Look! I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields [full of potential disciples] and see how they are already white for HARVESTING." (John 4:34-36) “THEN JESUS called his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And He sent them out to ANNOUNCE the kingdom of God and to HEAL sicknesses. And departing, they went about from village to village, PREACHING the Gospel and RESTORING the afflicted to health everywhere.” (Luke 9:1-2,6) "NOW AFTER this the Lord chose and appointed seventy other DISCIPLES and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come. And He said to them, 'The harvest [of lost potential disciples] indeed is abundant, but the LABOURERS are so few. Pray therefore the Lord God of the harvest to send out many LABOURERS into His harvest. Whenever you GO into a town and they receive and accept and welcome you, eat what is set before you; And HEAL the sick in it and SAY to them, The kingdom of God has come close to you.'" (Luke 10:1-2,8-9)

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Listen to this powerful, revolutionary audio chapter, about the the legacy and responsibility of every born-again child of God, which is to be a faithful disciple and witness for Jesus every day! 

'WORKING IN GOD'S HARVEST' ('Living Water', chapter 23)

MP3:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zOiZsvo_vEclTmz8-1hBHPN3_WYzoVbm/view?usp=drivesdk

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“I assure you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me (Jesus), he will himself be able to DO the same things that I do; and he will do even greater things in number than these, because I go to the Father.”

John 14:12 

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity. 

When He saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest [of lost potential disciples] is indeed plentiful, but the LABOURERS are so few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust many LABOURERS into His harvest.”

Matthew 9:35-38

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your GOOD WORKS and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone PREACHING to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””

Romans 10:14-15

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