THE GOOD NEWS COMES CLOSER

 Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23

Introduction

Evangelism is the basic source of the numerical growth of the Church. Jesus sent the Church to make disciples of all nations. The Holy Spirit came to empower the Church to make known the good news to every soul, nurture the Christian, and worship God. Repositioning is to move from the present state to another for effective and efficient work.

Repositioning in evangelism for growth simply means moving from where we are in the Church's evangelism to where God wants us to be – where all of us are witnesses (Acts 5:32), for God has committed unto us the Word (or ministry) of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:19-20).

The thought of repositioning implies that the current position is no more yielding the needed results due to many factors. Repositioning for Church growth is to assess the church growth strategies the church has been working on all these years and place them in the proper context to produce the needed results.

Moses, Repositioned for Growth

The people of Israel began to complain about their circumstances (Exo. 11:1). This made them even compare their current state to their slave life in Egypt saying, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” Numbers 11:4-6 (ESV). "And the anger of the LORD blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased." Numbers 11:10 (ESV). From verses 11 to 15 of Exo. 11, Moses expressed his frustration to the Lord and ended it up by saying, "If you will treat me like this, kill me at once..." Numbers 11:15 (ESV). 

To this, God asked Moses to reposition His people to progress to the promised land. Moses gathered seventy men of the elders on whom "the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied." Numbers 11:25 (ESV). Moses was the sole leader who was working initially but later on, it was not working anymore. In chapter 18, the father-in-law had to give him his counsel.

In repositioning the church for growth, leadership restructuring is very important. The church must begin to relook at our leadership appointment and election style. It may have worked for us over the period, but may not be working anymore.

On leadership, another form of the repositioning of the church is to make room for all individuals to serve in their capacity of calling. We should always remember that God qualifies the called not the other way round. Let's bring into leadership all of the membership of the church. Moses says, "I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all!"  Num 11:29-30 (Message). 

Repositioning is about bringing on board what has not been done before. When new things are coming in, there are those who are extreme conservatives who would oppose every innovation. Joshua gives us an example, "And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.”" Numbers 11:28 (ESV). He wanted to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying in the camp. The church must be open to innovative ways and rather shut the Joshuas of our church who stops great things just because it's not coming from them.

I love the question Moses put to him, “Are you jealous for my sake?" Numbers 11:29 (ESV). To reposition the Church for growth, we must look out for those who speak as though they mean well but it is merely out of jealousy. The Church must depart from pulling people down and making others unpopular among us. God empowers those He desires to empower.

Jesus Repositioned the Church

The disciples were filled with fear, "the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews" John 20:19 (ESV). Jesus appeared and gave them power of authority saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:22-23 (ESV). If the church reposition, exercising this authority will bring more growth. 

Jesus repositioned His followers from being disciples to apostles, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21 (ESV). This brings us to the point that, after being with Christ, He sends us and gives us power and authority.

The Pentecost Experience

On the fiftieth day of the resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended on the followers of Jesus Christ. The men and women who were hitherto afraid began to speak boldly in the testimony of Christ. The coming of the Holy Spirit actually repositioned the Church for growth.

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:4 (ESV)

The Spirit repositioned them to speak to the understanding of all the people of different languages and tribes; "And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?" Acts 2:7-8 (ESV). When Holy Spirit fills us, the church is repositioned to give clarity to all in their own race, level, tribe, language, educational, and social status.

Repositioning the church does not only bring criticisms from some members as in the case of Joshua, but from outside too. Whiles many are amazed and perplexed to find out what is happening, others will mock the church as they said, “They are filled with new wine.” Acts 2:13 (ESV)

The coming of the Spirit repositioned Peter into a great leader who some few weeks before now was afraid to associate with Christ but now is bold to say, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel." Acts 2:14-16 (ESV). In this text, we witness a repositioned leader taking the church to another level of growth.

"And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls." Acts 2:40-41 (ESV). When the church actually repositions into the spot God wants us to be, growth is inevitable. 

The Church today must study the trend of the society in which we live and its dynamism. The medium of reaching people is as important as the message. The church must reposition by looking into where the people we want to reach are? Presently, they are on their social media platforms. Let's reach with the Word there their attention-seeking package.

Conclusion

Repositioning the church is moving the church into the right place God wants us to be. It is in the right place at the right time with God that the manifestation of the Spirit is seen.

When we talk of repositioning, it is about leadership and followers, who are seen to be immune to transformational changes. Those people must be worked on rather than choosing the easy way against God's way.

Shalom aleikhem...