Natural Growth Through Balanced Church Mission

Devotional

Day 1: The Mission of the Church: Making Disciples of All Nations

A healthy church is defined by its commitment to the Great Commission—going out, making disciples, baptizing, and teaching all that Jesus commanded. This mission is not just for pastors or leaders but for every believer, calling each person to step out of their comfort zone and actively participate in God’s redemptive work. When the church is focused on these purposes—worship, ministry, evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship—it grows naturally, just as a healthy body grows. The call is clear: are you ready to answer Jesus’ invitation to be part of His mission? [05:47]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to intentionally build a relationship with someone who does not yet know Jesus, with the hope of sharing His love?

Day 2: Becoming Fishers of People: Following Jesus’ Call

Jesus calls ordinary people, like fishermen, to follow Him and become “fishers of men.” This invitation is not about using our own methods or comfort zones, but about learning to see people as Jesus does and being willing to reach out in ways that connect with their lives. Just as fishermen study the habits of fish, believers are called to understand those around them, adapting their approach to share the gospel effectively. The journey begins with a simple “yes” to Jesus’ call to follow and to be transformed for His purpose. [08:27]

Matthew 4:18-19 (ESV)
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”

Reflection: In what area of your life is Jesus inviting you to step out in faith and “cast your net” for Him, even if it feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable?

Day 3: Reaching People Where They Are: Understanding and Adapting

To effectively share the gospel, it is essential to understand the unique backgrounds, cultures, and needs of those around us. Just as Paul became “all things to all people,” we are called to communicate in ways that are meaningful and accessible, building genuine relationships and meeting people where they are. This requires humility, wisdom, and a willingness to listen and learn, so that the message of Christ can be heard and received. [27:11]

1 Corinthians 9:22 (ESV)
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”

Reflection: Who in your community or circle might feel misunderstood or overlooked, and how can you intentionally learn about their perspective to better share Christ’s love with them?

Day 4: Patience and Perseverance in Evangelism

Sharing the gospel often requires patience and perseverance, as results may not come quickly or easily. Like fishing, there are times of waiting and apparent fruitlessness, but God calls us to remain faithful, trusting that He is at work even when we cannot see immediate results. The harvest belongs to the Lord, and our role is to sow seeds, water, and trust Him for the growth. [33:05]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Reflection: Where have you been tempted to give up in sharing your faith or serving others, and how can you renew your commitment to persevere in hope and trust in God’s timing?

Day 5: Unity and Teamwork in the Body of Christ

No one can fulfill God’s mission alone; effective ministry and evangelism require the cooperation and unique gifts of the whole church. Just as fishing with nets requires many hands, so too does reaching people for Christ. When each member serves according to their gifts and works together in unity, the church becomes a powerful witness to the world and brings glory to God. [36:45]

Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

Reflection: What is one way you can use your unique gifts to serve alongside others in your church community this month, contributing to the shared mission of making Christ known?

Sermon Summary

健康的教会成长并不是靠外在的努力或人为的推动，而是源自内在的健康和平衡。正如一个孩子在安全、适宜的环境中自然成长，教会若在五个核心目的——敬拜神、服侍人、传福音、门徒训练、团契生活——上保持平衡，也会自然而然地成长。今天特别强调“传福音”这一使命，因为它不仅关乎教会的增长，更是基督徒生命的自然流露。

传福音就像捕鱼。耶稣呼召门徒“得人如得鱼”，用他们熟悉的生活经验来比喻属灵的使命。钓鱼需要了解鱼的习性、环境、时间和工具，传福音同样需要我们了解身边人的背景、文化和需要。我们教会所处的环境，周围有大量来自中国大陆、台湾、香港的移民和留学生，他们大多受过高等教育，文化背景相近，这为我们传福音提供了独特的优势。

然而，传福音不能只靠自己的方式和习惯，而要学习用对方能理解和接受的方式去沟通。我们要像渔夫一样，进入“鱼”的世界，体会他们的处境和思维，用他们的语言和关怀去建立关系。耐心和坚持也极为重要，正如钓鱼常常需要等待，传福音也可能多次被拒绝，但神呼召我们的是忠心和顺服，而不是立刻的果效。

此外，传福音不是个人的独行，而是肢体的配搭。正如撒网捕鱼需要团队合作，教会各样的服侍和活动都需要弟兄姊妹的同心协力。最重要的是，所有的果效都归于神。我们只是撒种和浇灌的工人，唯有神使人心改变和成长。

最后，耶稣的心意是寻找那只迷失的羊。我们每个人都曾是那只被寻找的羊，如今蒙恩后也被呼召去寻找和关怀身边还未认识主的人。传福音不是一项沉重的责任，而应成为我们生活的方式——像乞丐告诉另一个乞丐哪里有面包一样，带着谦卑和感恩的心去分享神的爱。

Key Takeaways

1. 教会的健康比增长更重要。只有当教会在敬拜、服侍、传福音、门训、团契五个目的上平衡发展，成长才会自然而然发生。追求外在的数字增长若忽略了内在的健康，反而会失去属灵的根基。[05:47] [05:47]
2. 传福音需要深入了解“鱼”的世界。就像专业的渔夫会研究鱼的习性、环境和工具，我们也要用心去了解身边人的文化、背景和需要，才能用他们能接受的方式去分享福音。[13:21] [13:21]
3. 以对方能理解的语言和方式沟通。我们常常习惯用自己的属灵语言，却忽略了未信者的思维和感受。要有智慧地建立关系，先用关怀和友谊搭桥，再逐步引导他们认识基督。[33:05] [33:05]
4. 传福音需要耐心和坚持。就像钓鱼常常需要等待，传福音也可能多次被拒绝，但神看重的是我们的忠心和顺服，而不是立刻的果效。只要不灰心，到了时候就必有收成。[33:05] [33:05]
5. 传福音是团队的事工，果效归于神。没有人能独自完成所有工作，教会需要肢体的配搭和同心协力。最终，人的得救是圣灵的工作，我们只需忠心撒种和浇灌，把荣耀归给神。[39:38] [39:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:14] - 健康教会的核心与自然成长
[05:47] - 教会的五大目的
[07:14] - 什么是福音
[08:01] - 耶稣呼召门徒“得人如鱼”
[11:14] - 钓鱼的比喻与传福音的反思
[12:22] - 教会常见的传福音误区
[13:21] - 了解“鱼”的世界：本地华人群体分析
[19:12] - 数据分析：教会周边华人现状
[24:45] - 留学生与新移民的属灵需要
[26:37] - 用对方的视角与语言沟通
[29:57] - 儿童事工的影响力
[33:05] - 传福音的耐心与智慧
[39:38] - 团队配搭与果效归神
[43:01] - 生活化的传福音与行动呼召
[45:48] - 祷告与回应

Sermon Clips

In a way, the gospel is that God has saved the resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection of the Lord and the resurrection of the Holy Spirit. The gospel is to save the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit. What is the gospel? The gospel is to give the gospel to those who didn't hear the gospel. Or they didn't hear the gospel after hearing. I like this gospel. [00:07:05]

We haven't researched what fish in there, or what fish should be used to. We don't care. To be honest, we would like to see if we are not comfortable, or not. We don't want to think about fish. We don't want to think about it. Every time, we are always hoping to get fish. We don't want to think about fish. [00:11:51]

They are looking for fish. They just want to use their own way to do it. They don't want to understand their people. They don't want to change the way they have. They don't want to do a strategy. They don't want to do it. They don't want to do it. They don't want to do it. They don't want to do it. They don't want to do it. They don't want to do it. [00:12:29]

I found that I helped you not to think of the feeling, not to do it, but to become a more wise, a more powerful person. The first thing is to understand our situation. To know what to do in the field. [00:13:05]

When I was talking to my child, When I started talking to ??, he didn't call me to drive my car to drive my car. He said that tomorrow night, we will go to Beary Thomas Fraser. When I came, I went to Walmart to buy a tree. Why did he choose Thomas Fraser? After that, I realized that when he saw it, he didn't need to get a big tree. He only needed to get one tree. So, Thomas Fraser was a new one. He took off the tree. [00:13:25]

When we came to the U .S. We came to the U .S.and left our own home. We are looking for the U .S. We are looking for the U .S. We are looking for the U .S. What kind of thinking? What kind of??? We hope to build a new relationship. At the end, we had the fruit of the garden. It helped us to build a new life. It helped us to build a new life. [00:25:13]

I think this gives us a very big advantage. What is what? Let's look at the people of the??. Actually, in China, we don't have a big advantage. This gives us a very big advantage. We know that these fish are in the middle. We can say they can understand the fish. This is our advantage. That's the point. We have to use the right way to understand the fish. [00:25:59]

What is the reason I don't have a fish? There is another one. We never have a fish. What are these fish for? What are these fish for? What are these fish for? That day, we came to Thomas Rasmussen. He looked at our clothes. He looked at his face. Why? Why? Because this is a lot of fish. The fish is a little more small. And very much. He looked at our clothes. The fish is extremely thin. The fish is very thin. And the fish is very thin. These fish are not able to crawl in. So he gave us a small fish. The fish. The fish is very thin. The fish is very thin. Then he asked us how to use the fishing. We put them through the fish. The fish. Look at this fish. The fish. The fish. The fish. [00:26:37]

Because of this reason, we've experienced many children's children's work also deeply aware that a useful and healthy children's work can lead to such a family's family. [00:29:37]

We plan to do a successful organization, and to help us with the students, and to help us with the students, and to help our students, and the students, and the students. I'm not sure that so much, I'm not sure what I think about this question. I still want to ask this question. [00:44:48]

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