God Gives the Increase Part 11- Farming Fields Pt 1, The Local Christ Community
by Brett Jacobsen
This twelve part video series is a call back to Jesus’ doctrine regarding the increase of His Kingdom. It is a re-examination of what the Bible teaches on evangelism and discipleship rather than man’s megre methods.
The Local Christ Community
Below are the notes from this teaching so you can read along:
Who was and wasn’t sent?
Afterward he appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided [defame, taunt] them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said to them, Go [poreuomai - to traverse, i.e. travel, to remove, depart, journey, walk] you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:14-20)
Apostolic teams go/are sent to different areas; the saints go- to work and other places where they can shine the light. Leaders lead (go out first as an example); their going models for the local community how to have a go mentality and lifestyle, albeit primarily at home.
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you [the eleven] always [pas- all, whole], even unto the end of the world [aion- age]. Amen. (Matt 28:16-20)
All aren’t goers but all are sowers
The Kingdom farming parables were for a great “multitude”, not just apostles:
And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered to him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said to them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: (Mark 4:1-3)
While it is specifically apostolic teams that are sent with the gospel, the whole church is commissioned as spiritual farmers to reconcile people to God.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry [diakonia] of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:17-19)
How the local community increases
The Lord added to the local Christ communities which were simply living the Kingdom of Christ:
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
Local going
The local community of believers should also live out of a “go” mentality, spreading out through the community ‘as church [the called]’ rather than heaping together “a church”.
Now thanks be to God, which always causes [thriambeuo] us to triumph [thriambeuo- to make an acclamatory procession] in Christ, and makes manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every [pas] place. 15 For we are to God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life… (2 Cor 2:14-16)
Local farming strategy
Work your local field
Water- Fervent prayer
Plow- Miracles, relationship, fruit.
Sow- Preaching, fruit, conversation, tracts, other literature.
Water- Everyone
Reap- God’s chosen reaper. Baptize those who are born again.
Nurture- Disciple them in community
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Thank you.