The quality of our lifestyle leads to quantitative growth. Reaching people should be a natural by-product of a quality life.

In an effort to spread the gospel to everyone in every nation quickly, much of modern evangelism has adopted an overemphasis on the initial "decision to accept Christ." Success is too often measured by how many people make a decision. The greatness of a church is often gauged by how many people have been baptized rather than how many are living the eternal life.

It is great to have babies, but good parents also rear them to maturity. When Jesus commissioned the disciples to go into all the world, it was to make disciples, not just decisions.

Many Christians constantly live with unresolved guilt for their lack of confident witnessing. Ministry has led them to believe they must "witness" to everyone, and even when they do, it never seems they "do it right."

Jesus said, "It is My meat to do the will of Him who sent Me." Since eternal life is the very life of Jesus, this statement is true of the Christian’s inner man. Guilt only clouds and clogs the heart’s desire to do the Father’s work.

When Jesus said, "I am the vine; ye are the branches," He was giving us the secret to fruitfulness and growth. Our first responsibility is to maintain the vital relationship ("abide in me"), then respond as the life of the vine flows through the branches. He will be responsible for the production and the pruning. We just respond to His life in us.

When Christians get involved with people who are hurting, their true desires and abilities will become evident. With no pressure to perform or produce, a believer turned loose in the midst of the needy will begin to express the love that is in his heart by virtue of his union with Christ.

Ministry’s responsibility is to free the individual from the guilt and pressure to perform, to encourage him in his relationship with Jesus and to lead him to get involved with people. Love will find a way to meet needs.

Lost people will hear the gospel; sick people will be healed; hurting people will be helped. The church is reaching out. Those responsible for "equipping" the saints will find joy in giving guidance and oversight to those who have an inner motivation to express their love.

Matthew 4:23 John 15:4-5

Matthew 11:29 Acts 1-8

Matthew 23:8-10 I

Corinthians 5:14-16, 20