By Pastor John Mateos Ong
A mandate is an order or a command. Christians are being ordered to dosom any things for the kingdom before the return of Jesus Christ. In the BIble, there is an A-team. Do you know where you can find it in the Bible? The Bibleâs A-team is called the 5-fold ministry. Ephesians 4:11-13 says, âSo Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.â Can the church grow if one is missing from the five? It could. But for the church to reach its maximum potential, everybody should be accounted for. God wants the church to grow. And for the church to grow, it needs the biblical A-team. You were saved to serve. But the problem is, when people get saved, they begin to think that their work is to come to church every Sunday. And they are happy with that. That is not the goal. The goal is not to complete Sunday attendance. The goal is to serve the church. That is why God gave the A-team. Their role is to equip Godâs people so that they can serve.
The Vision
The Biblical A-team is in effect until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Have we attained it? Do you believe that we have already achieved unity in the faith? Are the Christians united? No. Until today, Christians are being divided. Is the biblical A-team still needed? Yes. Defiitely.
Evangelism is the work of every believer. Luke 14:16-24 says, âJesus replied: âA certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, âCome, for everything is now ready.â âBut they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, âI have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.â âAnother said, âI have just bought five yoke of oxen, and Iâm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.â âStill another said, âI just got married, so I canât come.â âThe servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, âGo out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.â âââSir,â the servant said, âwhat you ordered has been done, but there is still room.â âThen the master told his servant, âGo out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.âââ
1. Be attractive - Colossians 3:12 says, âTherefore, as Godâs chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.â We have to represent Jesus well. We are attractive when we clothe ourselves with the attributes of God. People need to see love in you.
What turns people away?
judgemental attitude
Hypocrisy
Over preaching
Apathy and laziness
Pride/superiority complex
Inability/unpreparedness
2. Be intentional -2 Timothy 4:2 says, âPreach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourageâwith great patience and careful instruction.â Be ready like a sniper waiting for a target, ready to fire anytime.
3. Take a risk - Sharing the gospel is easy. What is hard is being rejected. Luke 10:16 says, âWhoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.â It is ok to be rejected for Jesus. It is not you they are rejecting. Do not take it personally.
Luke 15:7 says, âI tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.â There is much celebration in heaven when one repents for their sins. If that is Godâs heart, that should be your heart too.