WHY THE DEFINITE DIFFERENCE

Churches can easily be caught up in a political merry-go-round of organizational maintenance which eventually occupies most of their energies. Historically, churches in general have a tendency to be preoccupied with the exaltation of their denominational and doctrinal identities.  But no objective, however important, can ever be a substitute for God’s basic purpose for His church.  

To glorify God, to study the Word, to know and contend for the fundamentals of the faith are absolutely necessary objectives for our church and for our individual lives.  However, if Satan can get our eyes off the real cause and purpose onto some very wholesome, important and worthwhile, but secondary pursuits, he will have subtly, but effectively, won a great battle.  It is possible that more people will be in hell because the church has exercised its energies on secondary matters than because of the outside forces that war against the church.  Relatively speaking, evangelical Christianity has been at a standstill, status quo position, compared with what it could and should be accomplishing.  God has called us to see this changed.  However, that can only come about by having the right goal.  

WHAT WILL CAUSE THE DEFINITE DIFFERENCE …. 

Since a manifesto is a “declaration of intention, purpose and motive”, may it be clearly understood that our goal and purpose is to be in harmony with God’s goal, cause and purpose, which is “to seek and to save those who are lost.”  We must use every possible method in every possible place at every possible time to reach every possible person for Christ.  Everything we do and everything we are is for that purpose. 

The problem which exists is best illustrated by the fact that many evangelistic churches whole-heartedly agree with this emphasis, but their performance and preoccupation with secondary matters often reveals their lack of dedication to such a cause.  If at any time leadership is made aware of any part of the church function that conflicts with that purpose, that part will be deleted. 

Our emphasis on discipleship, teaching, preaching, study of the Word, prayer, holy living, doctrine, organization, buildings, tithing, music, praise, fellowship, etc., are all so that we might more effectively reach more people for Christ.  Nothing must ever divert us from this cause – no individual, no tradition, no denominational emphasis, no criticism, no obstacle of any kind.  This cause was so important to God that it cost Him the best that He had.  Whatever price is required to keep this cause before us must be paid! 

THE RIGHTNESS OF THE DEFINITE DIFFERENCE …. 

The church that truly has God’s goal as its goal, and is not merely paying lip service because it sounds right, but is totally sincere and has proven itself to be so by the direction and decisions of its leadership, as well as an established pattern of results, deserves the unreserved, dedicated, committed, enthusiastic support of every Christian. 

We may have our personal preferences about a big church or a small church, a formal service or an informal service, a long service or a short service, contemporary music or liturgical music, loud music or soft music, fiery preaching or quiet preaching.  However, if those preferences dictate which church we attend and support, then we can never experience God’s greatest blessing, because our motives are selfish.  Consequently, if we identify with a church that truly has as its goal, God’s goal, and is consistently seeing it fulfilled, then that church deserves our total support.  This will result in our being blessed of God to the fullest, regardless of personal preferences. 

Because of the magnitude of our task, the church urgently needs workers, tithers, and soul-winners.  Because of a crucial, critical cause, because of battles we must be winning against Satan with ever-increasing momentum, God urgently needs an army in which there are no broken ranks and no defections, but to the contrary, a constant addition of solid, steadfast, dependable warriors.  As a result the church will have such a powerful impact in the community that the most disinterested person will not be able to ignore the testimony of the church. 

A most obvious and practical approach to seeing this goal realized is through a born-again, Spirit-filled people committed to a close walk with God by a consistent spiritual life through prayer, getting into the Word, total obedience, regular church attendance, and availability and involvement in dedicated service. 

THE RESULTS OF THE DEFINITE DIFFERENCE …. 

Depending on the degree of commitment and cooperation, the church will be growing spiritually and numerically, with hundreds of happy, enthusiastic, blessed people involved in seeing the goal realized, the cause pursued and the purpose fulfilled to the extent that every person in the area will be touched by the message of the Gospel.