Mortify the Arm of the Flesh - Part 8
Growth- Seeking statistics and Competing companies
by Brett Jacobsen
This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [zerowa- strength], and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)
Just like the corporate companies which they try to mimic, many modern church companies have become consumed with statistical success in the competition of “church growth”.
While “comparing themselves among themselves” many fine Christians and church leaders are driven into carnal striving by this unbiblical lust for growth and in this they “are not wise” (2 Cor 10:2).
We are told by Jesus to “strive to enter in at the strait gate” but He did not tell us to strive to build churches (Luke 13:24). In fact He said “I will build my church” and the Psalmist declared “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Matt 16:18, Ps 127:1). His is the only church/house that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against” (Matt 16:18).
When the saints lean on their “own understanding” and put their “confidence in the flesh” (man’s ability and methods) they can certainly expect to “reap corruption” (Prov 3:5, Phil 3:3, Gal 6:8). When they do this to grow and enhance the church, man-made religion is birthed and subsequently sustained in most cases.
We must choose the ways of the Spirit and allow Him to build His church as we merely remain obedient to Him. The church ought to be built by God’s ability, according to His inspired Word, by the leading of His powerful Spirit, through our obedient actions.
This does not include chasing instant statistical gratification and rapid results. If we seek the Kingdom He will build His church, then He gets the glory. Remember that His “burden is light”, our burden is heavy (Matt 11:30). Too many saints and leaders have buckled under the fleshly pressure of the church building burden which doesn’t come from God’s Spirit.
Another awful aspect of the human burden of church building is the competing companies which are produced by it. The New Testament only names and divides churches by geography [1]. The church is identified by the city or region i.e. “the church of the Thessalonians” (1 Thess 1:1). The other common NT distinction of church is the church that meets at someone’s house i.e. “Nymphas, and the church which is in his house” (Col 4:15).
This is of great importance to the Lord as it stands firm against division and disunity which is fostered by the dissociate organisations many call churches.
We have inherited a system of church structure which has many diverse named organisations throughout a town or city. Even the gatherings in people’s homes are pulled under the “banner” of one or another of these organisations.
If we remove the distinct organisations and have the church of the city/town/region, it will greatly help to reduce the points of division and competition. If the saints at a certain town, city or region simply say “we belong to God’s church in our city and we usually meet at Bob’s house” then a major dividing obstacle is removed.
This fleshly arm of seeking statistics and having competing companies is something which must be mortified by the Spirit and continually resisted by us, His church. We need internal reformation to the ways of God’s Spirit which should then produce an outward reformation of the wineskin (structure) of church life.
This reformation will take us from reliance on our understanding, our ways, our structures and our ability and cause us to rely on His understanding, His ways, His structures and His ability. Then, both internally and externally we will “trust in the Lord” and be “blessed” rather than “trust in man” and remain “cursed” like fallen man. Our death will produce His life.
[1] House gatherings
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. (Acts 12:12)
…Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in your house: (Phile 1:2)
…you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints, (1 Cor 16:15)
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1 Cor 16:19)
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. (Rom 16:3-5)
…Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. (Col 4:15)
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. (2 Tim 4:19)
As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (Acts 8:3)
Area churches
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch (Acts 13:1)
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: (Acts 15:30)
To the church of God which is at Corinth, (1 Cor 1:2, 2 Cor 1:1)
And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; (Col 4:16)
…to the church of the Thessalonians (1 Thess 1:1, 2 Thess 1:1)
…to the churches of Galatia: (Gal 1:2)
(Galatia was a province, made up of four different cities: Antioch, Iconium, Derbe and Lystra; hence the plurality of Paul’s reference: “churches”)
The church that is at Babylon, (1 Pet 5:13)
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: (Rev 1:4)
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicia.
For more reading on New Testament leadership and community as well as other reformational insights, see the author’s book Heaven’s Underground Blueprint here- http://www.christisall.org/hub-book for a copy or a free PDF version.
To read another article regarding the unity/disunity of the church go here-
http://www.christisall.org/2006/01/25/one-body-embracing-true-biblical-unity-by-brett-jacobsen/
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