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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts Chapter 14:21, Paul has come almost a complete circle, but instead of quietly and quickly making his way home, he says, "Let's go back and visit the disciples in all the places where we have preached - where there are now believers. Let's go and confirm them in the faith, and let's encourage them to remain faithful. Let's return and strengthen them and see if they are growing - maturing - enduring."
Paul really cared for those who came to believe in Jesus under his preaching. Paul had a shepherd's heart, and he was concerned that they did not fall away, but remain in the fold. Are you a faithful reliable dependable member of your local fellowship?
Now, Paul wants to teach them and feed them with The Word of God. He wants to put fresh heart into the disciples of Jesus. They were his spiritual children. He was their spiritual father. He wants to nurse them through their first struggles and difficulties, and deal with any anxieties which might be present. His longing is to see them growing. His desire is to see them developing. This is the other half of mission.
You go and preach Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord - crucified and risen - and pouring out the Holy Spirit. People come to believing faith and experience all of this - but, then, you have to build them up in the faith. Paul knew God's methods.
Some consider Paul to be a hard man - almost heartless and uncaring - laying down certain laws and lacking in compassion. No - that is not what we see here. Here we see how he is really concerned and caring and loving. He does not want to see any fall away. He wants us to persevere in the faith - and that is seldom taught.
These are concepts and words whose currency has almost been devalued - that is another reason why we need to know God's Way - God's methods - as these are presented to us in God's Word. There was no just coming and going when individuals felt like it.
Paul went back to see if those who had tasted the love of Jesus were growing up in the various fellowships of believers. Believers MUST be in the Church. Disciples MUST be in The Church of Jesus Christ - and this has to be visible and physical.
The Church is the body of Christ - the family of the Father - and this is where bodies and families grow. Are you a visible member of your local church and present physically whenever the others are gathering for worship praise prayer and the study of the Scriptures? Soldiers are effective ONLY when they are in the army - and under orders.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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