Ministering from Maturity

Holiness and Maturity

1 Peter 1:16

I. 'Holiness' is a Way, Not an End

In the right and proper emphasis holiness preachers place on experience, we have sometimes heaved a great sigh of relief and joy when good altar work is completed, feeling that somehow our hardest work is done.

Perhaps the hardest work is done when the crises have been met. But being justified, and even being sanctified wholly, are not points of 'arrival.' They are more properly points of departure, entry points into fellowship with Jesus and His church.

We are made holy in entire sanctification, not in order to parade righteousness or exult in our sanctimony, but in order that we may have to do daily with the Holy One. "Be ye holy, for I AM holy!" is the command.

II. What are the goals of a mature holiness ministry?

The following list is hardly comprehensive.

1. Child-like faith that is not childish.

   The mature Christian increasingly learns to live with paradox. as, "Blessed are the poor in spirit" and "You are complete in Christ; seated with Him in power" (Colossians 2:10,3:1), or 'God is Sovereign' and 'Men and women are free moral agents' or 'God is Transcendent' and 'God is Our Friend', etc.

   And part of this mature child-likeness will ponder the imponderable questions, as 'Why do the righteous suffer?' and 'What about those (billions) who have never heard of the Lord Jesus Christ?'

2. Ministering from Completeness.

   Part of the paradox mature Christians must accept is that the poor in spirit are blessed and that mature Christians are complete in Christ, sharing His authority.

   Ministering from completeness reflects a basic concept of God. Somewhere in the backs of our minds we have hidden something we heard once in VBS, that God made all the beautiful things like the sun, moon and stars, but then God was lonely, and so out of His loneliness and need God said: "I will make man so that I can have fellowship!"

   It sounds nice— but it isn't so— and it is very dangerous. God never could lack anything! It sounds nice to say "He has no hands but our hands!" and there is an element (paradox) of truth in the statement. But we need to remember that God the LORD is GOD! God is Sovereign! God is complete!

   He made us out of His love and completeness! And so when we serve we must serve, not with the idea of building merit or seeking to save our own souls, but rather we must serve from love, like God! We must seek to serve in the power of His might, and do His will, in His power.

3. Gathering and Scattering.

   The mature church will gather to share the joy of God's Presence in worship. "Training" will take place although the sermon cannot possibly detail how to proclaim Christ in every situation and circumstance. But if we can "gather" to celebrate the Presence, and then in various groups "reinforce" the purpose of our existence and clarify our gifts and call, then we will "scatter" to take Jesus Christ in His beauty and life-changing power wherever it is that we work or play or fellowship.

4. Diversity of ministry.

   A mature church may well have many different expressions of proclamation. Many of them will be "church-owned" and church- directed. Missionary endeavors such as work-and-witness, support groups, prayer and Bible study groups are just a few of the varied church ministries that along with youth work and Sunday School are the staples of mature ministry.

   But there will also be church-related or church-approved ministries, and even "non-religious" work done by Christians that are no less called to their assignment than the clergy.

   Perhaps only 20% of active members should be engaged in maintaining local church activities. That leaves a full 80% to be engaged in carrying out those ministries, or serving Christ with the support of the local body where they are placed.

   [I have one woman who used to be a district missionary president who is now executive secretary for a judge in public social work. She influences many people for Jesus, and often brings them to church with her. (Doris Restrick)]

5. World Vision.

   A mature church does not have to be a large church. But it will not be small in its vision or thinking. A mature church will cross lines of membership and even denomination to support the larger picture of God's work in its area. There is a "Church of Jesus Christ" in every area to which a local congregation may seek to be an active part. It is possible to be totally loyal to the Nazarene church family, and to the local church family, and at the same time seek to be a catalyst for revival and Christian love and brotherhood throughout the great Church of Jesus Christ.

For your participation: If personnel and money were no limitations, what would you attempt for God in your present situation?