2nd Corinthians 10.15b – 16a NIV “Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.”
Paul’s strategy for advancing the Kingdom of God was simple… go deep! His relationship with the Corinthian church involved multiple visitations and ample correspondence. He expected measurable spiritual growth to accompany dramatic conversions to Christ. Shallow professions of faith were not part of the Apostle’s evangelistic strategy. Paul’s advise to younger pastors like Timothy or Titus may be paraphrased, “Go deep young man.”
Timothy and Titus followed up Paul’s ministry by nurturing the churches he planted in Ephesus and Crete. Converts developed spiritually before he moved to the next place of ministry. Their stability in the faith was required before Paul could “preach the gospel in the regions beyond”...
“Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,
People matter to God. He will not entrust a pastoral ministry with more people until it’s leadership proves faithful on behalf of the ones He already sent.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”
The painting of the man swimming deep perfectly and graphically describes my thoughts in this post. Artist Ramone Romero graciously gave me permission to post his work here. You may view his art at http://art-for-jesus.blogspot.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/ramone.romero.
“Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,
our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that
we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.”
2nd Corinthians 10.15b – 16a NIV
2nd Corinthians 10.15b – 16a NIV
People matter to God. He will not entrust a pastoral ministry with more people until it’s leadership proves faithful on behalf of the ones He already sent.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”
Luke 16.10a NIV
True leaders scoff at ‘a mile wide and an inch deep.’ Instead, they head in the opposite direction. Men and women of God go ‘an inch wide and a mile deep’ by loving and nurturing the people God has given them.
Pray that your leadership influence “will greatly increase.” Go deep with those under your charge to ensure their faith “continues to grow” so that you may soon go wide and “preach the gospel in regions beyond.”
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Pray that your leadership influence “will greatly increase.” Go deep with those under your charge to ensure their faith “continues to grow” so that you may soon go wide and “preach the gospel in regions beyond.”
_____________________
The painting of the man swimming deep perfectly and graphically describes my thoughts in this post. Artist Ramone Romero graciously gave me permission to post his work here. You may view his art at http://art-for-jesus.blogspot.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/ramone.romero.
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3 comments:
Thanks Dave,
I have been started to be asked about God, which is funny to me that God is sending people to me now. I thought I was needing to work on me first but it turns out that I'm ready. I always get asked questions I know the answers to, not an accident I'm sure.
Your Bro, Danny
Hi Danny,
Good point. I think God will send people to anyone He chooses based on the needs of the individuals involved. It's not a matter of how long a person has been in Christ nor does it have anything to do with his background in sin. God can use anyone who is open to the leading of the Holy Spirit at any time for His purpose.
Get ready to perform mighty things in the name of Christ. I will stay tuned!
Dave
Hi Dave!
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you! There is another link to the picture on my art blog here:
http://art-for-jesus.blogspot.com/2008/02/going-deeper.html
This link includes some of the thoughts that gave rise to the picture. (^_^)
God bless you and your family!
In Jesus,
Ramone
(fulfilledinjesus [AT] yahoo [DOT] com)
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