In the tenth chapter of Romans, Paul laments Israel’s need for the gospel of Jesus Christ and their rejection of it. His heart longed for his fellow Jews to be saved (Rom. 10:1). He knew that without preaching, neither Jew nor Gentile could call upon the name of the Lord. Thus, in verses 14-15, Paul writes:

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Paul's series of questions culminates in the crucial point: 'How shall they preach unless they are sent?' This underscores two critical aspects of preaching: the necessity of preachers to proclaim the gospel and the church’s role in sending them. The good news cannot reach the lost unless messengers go forth, and messengers cannot go forth unless they are sent. Therefore, the church has a divine responsibility to identify, equip, and commission those willing to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

The First Century Church in Action

The New Testament provides multiple examples of how the early church practiced this sending and going.

1. Acts 13:1-3 – The Church at Antioch Sends Barnabas and Saul
   In this verse, the church at Antioch, under the Holy Spirit's guidance, selected Barnabas and Saul to go. The church, having fasted, prayed, laid hands on them, and sent them out on their mission. This shows a deliberate and prayerful commissioning of workers for the gospel.
2. 2 Corinthians 11:8-9 – Support from Other Churches
   Paul acknowledges that he received support from other churches while teaching in Corinth. This demonstrates that sending evangelists involves not only prayer and commissioning, but also financial and material support.
3. Philippians 4:14-20 – Partnering in the Gospel
   The Philippian church actively supported Paul’s missionary work, sending him aid more than once. Paul commended them for their partnership in the gospel. This passage highlights the ongoing relationship between senders and those who go out.

The Present Need

The principles practiced by the early church are still applicable today. The fields remain ripe for harvest, as Jesus stated in John 4:35-36:

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.”

The words the Lord spoke are just as true today as when he said them. The world is full of people who need to hear the gospel. As members of the Church, we can share in the kingdom work of going and sending.

A Going Opportunity

The brethren at the Southside church of Christ in Smyrna, whom I dearly love, need assistance. If you would like to volunteer to preach on a Sunday morning or evening, please let me know. To those who have already volunteered, thank you. I deeply appreciate your willingness to serve in this capacity. I have shared your names and contact information with them.

If you know of other congregations in similar circumstances, please let me know. I want to help.

A Sending Opportunity

As was announced on Wednesday night, Lisa and I are taking our kids to Canada to work with the Peterborough, Ontario, church in July. Do not worry; I will not ask you to fast. I, however, will ask you to remember us and the brethren in Peterborough in your prayers, that it may be a fruitful trip and that many people will be able to hear the gospel because of it. Lastly, thank you for all the encouragement you have already provided. It means more to my family than I can express in words.

Final Thoughts

The New Testament provides a clear model for preaching: the church sends, preachers go, and the good news is proclaimed. Whether we are doing the sending or the going, we are participating in spreading the gospel message. Thank you for the work you do!

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-12

One of my favorite commentaries on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is Sit, Walk, Stand. It is about spiritual realities, personal growth and expected Christian development as manifested by faith, fruit, character and courage. The book was published in 1977 by Watchman Nee who spent the last 20 years of his life in prison and was severely persecuted by Chinese communists.

Sit: Stems from Ephesians 2:6 “raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This analogy of sitting is where we begin our life in Christ: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3. Paul wants his audience, and us, to realize all that has been done for us in the heavenly places, by the Father and through the Son.

Walk: It begins with, “Now therefore, and then what should follow: walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,” Because of all that has been done for us, because of our faith we must bear fruit. Our manner of life must change. This is where repentance is manifested.

Stand: Is the last of Nee’s trilogy of perspectives on our spiritual stances: in Christ, through Christ and seen in the world. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” And further, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” Ephesians 6:10, 14

Today, I want to focus on thoughts connected to our WALK. As stated by Paul earlier in the letter Ephesians 2:8-10, we are God’s workmanship, created for good work, that we should walk in them. It is a spiritual and practical blessing to be given and empowered to do good. In Ephesians 4:10-12, Paul reminds us that Christ, as the head of His church, gave the apostles, the prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for WORKS OF MINISTRY and the edifying of the body of Christ.

What then are these works of ministry? What is included or excluded? Why should we do them? How are they to be done? This verse draws many elements together. It is purposeful and by design. These works for which the gifts [those people appointed] are given and for which we are equipped, take us back to Paul’s previous epiphany, we are [by faith/grace] God’s workmanship, created and intended to do good work. See also Titus 2:14 which refers to the intention of our redemption: people zealous for good work.

Let me suggest, whatever these good works and works of ministry are, they must include work and ministry that defines “pure and undefiled” religion. James 1:27

How then are evangelists, pastors, teachers equipping the saints to “care for the fatherless and the widow”? And to avoid pointing fingers, how are we the saints responding to their equipping efforts?

Here is what we have seen over the past several years. first, eyes must be opened to the need for "pure religion” and that it is a mandate for God’s people. Second, local church leaders play a significant role in the challenge of this awareness, pointing out the “WHAT” and the “WHY” we should be involved. And thirdly, like in Acts 6, the apostles confirmed the validity and necessity of this ministry but the HOW, was delegated to local brethren, “seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;” Acts 6:3.

What was the result of these what, why and how categories? “And the saying pleased the whole multitude…Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem,” Acts 6:7.

We have seen after many years HOW individual Christians can care for the fatherless by giving them homes, a place at the table and raising them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. There are other ways in our own congregation, our own community to help children in need. Stay tuned and remember how much Jesus loved the little children, especially when he said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them. Matthew 19:13-14

“But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner” Hebrews 6:9

The writer of Hebrews has as his theme the idea of “better”.

His aim is to convince the Jewish audience that Jesus is better: than the angels, than the prophets, than Moses. His priesthood is better than Aaron’s. His new covenant is better than the old. His blood is better than that of bulls and goats. In every way, in every category the writer addresses, Jesus is better.

And so, he continues with his confidence in his hearers that they will mature and grow past the elementary things of their faith. They will do better. Better than just “having faith”, just believing in Jesus, better than just believing in his resurrection, better than just talking [discussions] about elementary principles.

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.” Hebrews 6:1-3

The author and admonisher elaborates on “things that accompany salvation”.

“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:10-12

It is our work and labor[s] of love that must accompany the salvation we receive by faith and grace. There is a purpose, goal, and intent NOW in our redemption. It is our restoration to being imaging bearing people. This restoration is of course not possible without redemption, washing, cleansing, purifying, rising to a new transformed life in the kingdom. But we cannot, must not forget that the kingdom has come, we are in it now. We are not waiting for Him to return or for us to go by death to the kingdom at some future time. The gospel was and is the kingdom is coming, it is near [as Jesus announced] and because of his death, burial, and resurrection it is here.

We are so prone to create a false dichotomy, a false competition or false theology between faith and works. Nothing could be further from the gospel, the truth, or the purpose of our salvation. It is not a choice or soteriological distinction we must make between faith and work. It is a soteriological understanding that faith produces fruit.

This powerful author reminds us that better means more than a set of religious, theological, philosophical, and soteriological maxims. It means manifesting into the world God’s goodness, glory, His name, and His character. This can only be seen in what we do.

The exhortation to better things is portrayed as “work and labor of love.” This writer [who may be Paul] is not alone and this is not the only place the ideas of work, labor of love, works of ministry, and good deeds are mentioned, commanded, and expected in the New Testament and of God’s people.

Consider the few following examples.

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” Ephesians 4:11-13. Notice the words “perfect man”, and “stature of the fullness of Christ [being his image].

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.’ Titus 2:11-14. Notice the words, “salvation”, redeem[ed], purify, special people and for good works.

Faith with works isn’t just [in fact] better than faith without works it is better to the degree that something alive is better than something that is dead.

“But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by [g]my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? “James 2:18-20

Peter, like Paul and the Hebrew writer prepares his audience for trials, persecutions and other adversities. He exhorts:

“having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation…[and] or this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—”! Peter 2: 12, 15

Is there anything in these admonitions, these exhortations, these commands, and expectations…that these labors, work, ministries are easy, convenient, or optional? But. There is every promise, hope and confidence that He is not unjust, He will not forget, He will reward everyone “according to their work.”

And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12

Let’s go to work.