Training and Mobilization for the Harvest
From The HeartPublish date: 03/13/2016
I. Training:
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16
Why do people need to be trained for ministry/to fulfill their calling?
To mature people.
Because there’s wrong doctrine.
Because of cunning, crafty, and deceitful men.
So we can be aware of our place in the Body of Christ.
“But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.” Acts19:9
At RBI, RSW, RSG, and RBIE we train men and women, who are hungry for the Word of God and thirsty for His presence, to be enabled to step into their God-given calling…
II. Mobilization:
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
How do we mobilize people to take the Harvest?
To “mobilize” means to “put in a state of readiness for active service, to use one’s energies for action.”
Mobilization refers to any event by which God’s people are awakened and kept moving and growing until they find their place of strategic involvement.
Are you Need-Oriented or Mandate-Oriented?
“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
A Need-Oriented ministry becomes overwhelmed by the many needs around them. Eventually they become need-controlled and even manipulated by them.
A Mandate-Oriented ministry is God-directed - influenced and mobilized by the power of God, not the manipulation of men or their needs.
Sir Isaac Newton: The first law of motion was that...”A body in motion tends to remain in motion and a body at rest tends to remain at rest.” This is true spiritually also.
Passivity is unconcern, inaction, unresponsiveness , indifference, unemotional, unfeeling.
We cannot be passive, inactive, and indifferent when it involves the work of the Lord.
People who are Trained and Mobilized...
- Recognize that they are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
- Know the meaning of the Great Commission.
- Know their place in the Body of Christ - they have heavenly goals, vision, and direction.
- Have a singleness of vision.
- Are not consumed by the cares and involvements of the world.
- Are not afraid to become involved
- Don’t have leadership that does everything themselves and prevents their involvement.
- Don’t live in the past
- Don’t walk in the flesh, but in the Spirit.
• When a person walks in the flesh, they cannot accomplish spiritual goals.
• The flesh prevents you from doing “that which you would do” (Romans 7:15).
• Frustration, division, and unresolved conflicts are all signs that a person is walking in the flesh.
- Sin is not a part of their life.
• Sin prohibits the flow of God’s anointing
- Are not discouraged.
• Discouragement causes passivity and the people become unstable and disloyal.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are. That no flesh should glory in His presence. I Corinthians 1:26-29
The New Testament Church was a mobilized group of people.
They were ministering daily in the temple and in every house (Acts 5:42).
They were praising and worshiping God, and the Lord was increasing their number daily (Acts 2:47).
Even persecution did not dampen their enthusiasm. Persecution resulted in the scattering of their membership but...”Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word.” (Acts 8:4).