Back to the Basics

The March 2009 issue of a Christian newsletter that always has stimulating content included a human interest story of a man who was making a significant impact by discipling followers of Christ. The account includes an episode at a wedding reception where he saw four generations of spiritual descendants. This is the result of his commitment to challenge those he disciples to, in turn, disciple others.

In the middle of the article were two sentences that arrested my attention. They stopped me dead in my tracks. I read and reread those sentences again and again. My reaction: How true and how sad! Here they are: "In 1995, Ron left his role as pastor and joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ. He wanted to simplify his life and get back to what he calls the basics of the Christian faith: evangelism and discipleship."

Ron is right about the basics. The Bible is clear that the church is here for two major purposes:

• To present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to spiritually dead people who are currently destined for an eternity in hell, so that they might receive Christ, be made spiritually alive and have their destination changed to heaven.
  

• To use every means of grace to cause those who have received Christ to grow into spiritual maturity as disciplined followers of their Lord.
  

The sad part is the he was compelled to leave the pastorate so that he could major on these two Biblical essentials.

The church is not...

• ...a religious social club for making friends.
• ...a self-help group center for every 'felt need' that people have.
• ...a worship service filled with music and messages that make us feel good.
• ...a baby-sitting or child-care service where other adults are expected to build our kids self-esteem.
• ...an entertainment center for the latest fad.
  
• ...about me...my preferences...my opinions...my soap boxes.
  
• ...the place to leave to go to another church the minute something happens that I don't like.

The church is the Christ-centered, Bible-centered called out people of God who have been gloriously saved and are becoming more and more serious about Christ and the Bible.

Paul succinctly summarizes these two basics in 2 Timothy 3.

• Verse 15 - ...knowing the Scriptures which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Evangelism is not friendship, silently living a life of good works in front of others or attending some type of religious activity. Evangelism is a Biblically comprehensive and Spiritually saturated presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Verses 16,17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that followers of Christ become thoroughly equipped for every good work. Discipleship is the renewing of our minds, the changing of our hearts, the conforming of our wills consistent with the Lordship of Christ as presented to us in the Bible.
  

The basics! Christ and the Bible make the church unique. Knowing Christ as Savior and growing with Christ as Lord. Is it possible that, regarding these basics, the Lord who has saved us now needs to rebuke and correct us?