The Holy Spirit did some incredible things in the early church. From the day of Pentecost, the church was spread over the known world. They didn’t have seminary-trained pastors but men and women who loved Jesus. They grew numerically and spiritually because they were established and encouraged together. God wants to see the same thing happen in the church today.
ROMANS 1:11-12
“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
It Pleases God
When Paul wrote the book of Romans, he hadn’t visited the city or church yet. Most scholars believe that he wrote it while he was in Corinth. While he had visited, he longed to so that they could be established and encouraged together. He knew the power in the church wasn’t the preacher alone; it was the combined effort of every person working in their gifts. When a church seeks to see its members established and encouraged together, God is pleased.
Be Open to the Possibilities
Do you seek to establish young Christians and encourage everyone in your church? You may have never thought about it that way, but you are called to be part of the work that God is doing in your body of believers. That can happen through teaching or the imparting of one of the spiritual gifts. If this sparks something in your heart, then ask Jesus in your prayer time to use you in this way. It could be something as simple as taking a new believer out for lunch and answering their questions or taking a meal to someone ill. Be open to the possibilities.
Established and Encouraged Together
A church that is established and encouraged together can change the world. The members will grow in maturity, and the new converts will be welcomed with open arms. Instead of holding to traditions, let’s focus on these two tasks. Be a church of disciples that make disciples and love one another as you love yourself. When this happens, the church will be a magnet that will attract the world.