GOD EXPECTS CHURCHES TO REFLECT GOD’S GRACE
(This blog is a word-for-word transcript of what I teach to the pastors in India about “What God Expects of Churches.” In the first blog we saw God expects churches to share the gospel. This is blog 2 of 5)
- REFLECT GOD’S GRACE Acts 11:22-24 Acts 11:22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
It was new to have so many Gentiles becoming Christians so the church leaders in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to them. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, a trusted servant and good leader. When Barnabas arrived he saw what the grace of God had done there. Lives had been changed, families healed, joy filled their hearts. God’s grace changes people’s lives.
Grace changes lives, not Legalism. Obeying God out of fear or pride, to impress God or others, is wrong and dangerous. Barnabas saw the results of salvation freely given. Gentiles accept Jews, Jews accept Gentiles. Because of this the believers are first called “Christians” in Antioch (11:26). They acted like Jesus so the unbelievers named them after Him.
Barnabas stayed and encouraged them to stay faithful and grow in their faith. His name means “Son of Encouragement” (4:36) and that is what he did. We can encourage others when we say things to give them hope and courage. A healthy church must show grace to others. There cannot be gossip, criticism or judging others. Reach out to visitors when they come. Contact those who have stopped coming.
Christians in Antioch reached out, showed Jesus by their life. Because of this the believers are first called “Christians” in Antioch (11:26). They acted like Jesus so the unbelievers named them after Him. Barnabas knew how to give people second chances. For he gave John Mark another chance when Paul wouldn’t have anything to do with him. Because of Mark we have one of the 4 gospels in the Bible! Don’t give up on people – give them second chances, just like God does to you. Focus on grace, mercy and forgiveness, just as God does with you.
Show love grace to everyone you meet by patience, kindness, forgiveness, no judging, no criticizing, no talking about others, no having favorites, etc. Everyone should be welcome and treated the same (Jesus would treat all the same).
Healthy churches: 1. Faithfully share the gospel, 2. Reflect God’s grace, 3. Teach & disciple believers. After salvation new believers need to grow!!!
III. TEACH & DISCIPLE BELIEVERS Acts 11:25-26 Acts 11:25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So, for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Disciple those who are evangelized. Teach them how to live as a Christian and how to act like Jesus. Jesus did this with His disciples. First comes salvation. It is a free gift we receive. We are then born into God’s family and will spend eternity in heaven when we die. But what about how we live this life? That’s the step of discipleship, give ourselves to live for Jesus. That is costly, for we do what Jesus wants, not what we want. Each new believer must be taught and encouraged to become a disciple, a follower of Jesus.
A healthy, growing church teaches and trains believers of all ages, male & female. Barnabas knew Paul was well trained and gifted in teaching so went to find him. Barnabas was humble enough to know when he needed help. It is a wise person who knows his own limitations and is willing to ask for help. No one person is able to do everything, God gives different one’s various gifts.
Paul had met Jesus on the road to Damascus 10 years before this. He was studying, learning, growing and ministering wherever he was during that time. For a year they taught together in many different homes in Antioch. It takes lifetime to learn Bible, commitment, patience, practice, time, etc. A pastor is a shepherd and therefore needs to feed his sheep – that’s one thing God expects of pastors. The main responsibility of a pastor is to teach God’s Word to everyone.
In healthy churches today, leaders train people of all castes and backgrounds. They teach God’s Word in messages, Bible studies, counseling, and conversations. A teaching church is a healthy church, can’t be healthy without it. A church can grow in numbers without teaching the Bible, but can’t be a healthy growth. Christians must know and follow the Bible. They must expose and correct false teaching such as: prosperity Gospel, loss of salvation, faith healing done by person who can heal everyone all the time, legalism/works and using rituals and traditions to impress God and earn blessing.
Thus, healthy churches must: 1. Faithfully share the gospel, 2. Reflect God’s grace, 3. Teach & disciple believers and 4. Help others in need.
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Does your church have a reputation for showing love and grace to everyone who comes?
Does everyone feel equally accepted and important in your church?
Are people in your church being taught the Bible and growing in their faith?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling)
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