Taking The Church To Task

3. "Verse 11 states again the truth found everywhere in Scripture: The only reliable sign of regeneration is a faith that does not fail and continues to the end of life. It may at times falter and grow dim as it faces various trials and pressures, but it cannot be wholly abandoned, for Jesus has promised, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." ( John 10:28 )" - Ray Stedman: Op. cit.

4. The Christian life is designed to be lived in three sometimes overlapping phases:

a. "C __ __ __" - GATHERING

(1) This phase begins with the invitation to receive Christ as Saviour and Lord.

(2) It is usually presented via "preaching" ( kerygma ) - the proclamation of the Word.

(3) ref: Matthew 11:28

Hebrews 2:1-3

John 3:1-11

Revelation 3:20

John 14:23

b. "Get R __ __ __ __" - PREPARING

(1) This phase develops through "teaching" ( didache ) and "nurture" ( paideia ).

(2) It's purpose is to stimulate spiritual growth toward spiritual maturity, the goal of which for all believers is f __ __ __ __ - bearing, which consists of honouring and glorifying God and ministering to the world for which He so deeply cares.

(3) ref: Colossians 1:28

John 15:7-8

Matthew 13:4-8, 13

c. "G __" - BEING SENT FORTH

(1) This phase is manifested in ministry and mission -- the "go into all the world" of the Great Commission.

(2) " {Jesus} set the criteria by which the nations and the members of the kingdom will be judged; by feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the imprisoned.

"In the closing verses of his gospel, Matthew records Jesus as instructing His disciples to go into all the world and preach to all creatures, baptizing them and teaching them in all the things He had commanded.

"We might summarize this apostolic mandate as one to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, economic, political, and human needs of all humanity -- a whole gospel to the whole person in the whole world. There is no evidence whatsoever that the Gospel was divided into a dichotomy of soul-saving or social action. Both were part of one great plan to touch every human need with the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of the mandate was the evidence of maturity ( teleiotes ) to these early Christian teachers and exhorters." - Louis H. Evans, Jr.: Op. cit.

(3) ref: Matthew 25:31-46

Matthew 28:16-20

Acts 6:1-8

D I S C U S S I O N G U I D E

1. Read 1Peter 1:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 3:1-2.

a. What is the difference between "spiritual milk" and "spiritual meat?"

b. Give an example of each.

MILK:

MEAT:

2. Read again the "Four Marks of Spiritual Immaturity" as listed in Hebrews 5:11-14. Suggest a solution for each.

a. "dullness of hearing" / SOLUTION:

b. "inability to share the word" / SOLUTION:

c. "a 'baby food' spiritual diet" / SOLUTION:

d. "unskillful in the word of righteousness" / SOLUTION:

3. Read Hebrews 6:4-6.

a. What is the difference between what is depicted in this passage and what we call "backsliding?"