Chapter Fifteen

PERSONAL VICTORY EFFECTS CORPORATE VICTORY

             The local church is made up of people who have been born again by the Spirit of the Living God and have signified this by water baptism (immersion).  The local church is composed of many members, and each member is individually responsible for victory in his/her personal life.  The fulfilling of this responsibility causes the entire church to function at a higher level, and thus fulfill the purpose of God.  Without individual victory there is no corporate victory.  Without corporate victory the church becomes stagnant and non-vital.  The local church could easily die because it does not produce fruit that remains.  When each member is individually productive,”after his kind”, the church is alive and well, functioning as Christ intended.  It is the responsibility of each member to reproduce himself in others.  Paul taught this principle in I Timothy 4:14-16.

            Timothy’s gifts were for the benefit of individuals and the church as a whole.  All that Timothy had been given was to be used for the building of God's church: its edification, maturing, and it's growth. The church is made up of individuals who are to use their talents and gifts on a collective basis.  The application of biblical principles, rightly or wrongly, affects the church positively or negatively.  Does the failure of one member really affect the rest of the church?  Yes! The Scripture teaches that if one of the members suffer, all the members suffer.  This corporate structure is critical to understanding how the church is to function.  Again, Paul was the one to teach on this subject: (I Cor. 12:4-6; Romans 12:5).

            When the individual believer fulfills his responsibility, he then demonstrates this obedience to the entire church.  He also sets an example, not only for  his local church, but also for other local churches.  The Thessalonian church was good example of this principle. Their faithfulness in the area of soul-winning and faith was heard "abroad."  They had turned from their old ways of idol worship to looking for the second coming of Christ and testifying to outlying cities regarding the Gospel of Christ.  I Thess. 1:6-8 their testimony and maturity in the Lord was demonstrated corporately.

            It is the pastor's responsibility to lead his people in growth and maturity.  Timothy was directed by Paul to lead the church to maturity because he had attained the maturity himself. In I Tim. 4:6  Timothy was instructed by the Apostle Paul to teach his people to grow in grace and maturity, to recognize hypocrisy, and to expose men who try to deceive the brethren.  This knowledge and understanding was essential to the proper functioning of the church and the implementation of the great commission.

 INDIVIDUAL MATURITY LEADS OTHERS TO CHRIST

             Without Christ the world is a sad and lonely place for men to live.  Those who are not saved are looking for someone or something to satisfy their need of love and integrity.  Many will refuse to admit this is true, but it is true nonetheless.  People without Christ are "without hope we are of all men most miserable."  Every man needs hope for the future and a reason for living in the present.  How does this fact relate to the phrase "individual maturity leads others to Christ."?  Christians are continually being watched. They want to know if the Christ that lives within us really makes a difference.  Will Christ really change lives, give peace, provide grace and answers to difficult questions, provide access to God, and give hope for the future? What happens when the church does not function properly and there is no evidence in our Christian lives for the world to view?  I am convinced that many will not listen to the Gospel because they have seen the lives of "Christians" who have never experienced victory in Christ and have not exemplified Christ’s character.

            Biblical growth and maturity is personal growth expressed as a result of thankfulness to God and knowing God intimately.  This intimate knowledge is actually seen in the manner in which we live our lives.  If the world sees good doctrine, separated lives filled with peace, and obedience in the lives of God's people, they will desire the same things in their lives.  A further consequence of this victorious testimony is that the young people and new believers will copy the mature believers in the church.  The Greek word memakos, that is translated "example" or "ensample" in the Scripture and provides an important principle to examine.  Each believer has the responsibility to be an example or mimic Christ and His character in using sound doctrine, implementing evangelism, living holy, and having Christlike maturity.  If this commanded "lifestyle" is followed, there will be multiplied victories.