abigya
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- Jun 5, 2006
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The Crisis of a Christless Christianity
by Chip Brogden
"And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (Acts 28:30,31).
Apostles must point people to Christ. Prophets must point people to Christ. Evangelists must point people to Christ. Pastors and teachers must point people to Christ. Otherwise they are not fulfilling the purpose for which God placed them in the Church to begin with. Apostolic ministry is not an end unto itself, but is a means to an end. Prophetic ministry is not an end unto itself, but is a means to an end. Evangelistic ministry is not an end unto itself, but is a means to an end. Pastoral and teaching ministries are not ends unto themselves, but are a means to an end.
What is the end? What is the purpose? What does it all lead to? It leads to "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (cf. Ephesians 4:13). The fullness of Christ, the full-knowledge of Him - this is God's Goal and His Ultimate Intention.
by Chip Brogden
"And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (Acts 28:30,31).
Apostles must point people to Christ. Prophets must point people to Christ. Evangelists must point people to Christ. Pastors and teachers must point people to Christ. Otherwise they are not fulfilling the purpose for which God placed them in the Church to begin with. Apostolic ministry is not an end unto itself, but is a means to an end. Prophetic ministry is not an end unto itself, but is a means to an end. Evangelistic ministry is not an end unto itself, but is a means to an end. Pastoral and teaching ministries are not ends unto themselves, but are a means to an end.
What is the end? What is the purpose? What does it all lead to? It leads to "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (cf. Ephesians 4:13). The fullness of Christ, the full-knowledge of Him - this is God's Goal and His Ultimate Intention.
