The Power of the Effective Local Church

On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces (Luke 9:10-17).

Jesus had previously empowered and sent twelve of His disciples to introduce the kingdom of God to the world through itinerant ministry in the towns and villages of Galilee… “He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal” (Luke 9:1-2). Jesus was beginning His work of building the Church… “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). He was going to lay the foundation of His Church on the ministry of these sent disciples who are now called apostles… “The household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20). The apostles’ ministry was profound and effective. There were great crowds and reports even reached the ears of Herod, the local ruler. When the apostles returned to Jesus they brought the crowds with them. Jesus Christ was the central character in the apostles’ kingdom preaching and He was the source of the apostles’ kingdom miracles. When the hungry crowds came to Him, Jesus gave His apostles one more power. He enabled them to miraculously feed the crowd of more than five thousand with “five loaves and two fish”. These first disciples, and truth-seeking disciples in every age, are exhorted here to preach, heal, and care in the name of Jesus Christ because He is the Power of the effective local church.

The effective local church preaches and teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke to the crowd of His kingdom. He showed disciples in every age that our message is to be nothing more or less than the gospel of the kingdom of God… “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

The effective local church heals in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus healed the sick in the crowd. He promised the same healing power to disciples in every age as a confirmation of His gospel… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation… And these signs will accompany those who believe… in my name… they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18).

The effective local church feeds and shelters the needy in the name of Jesus Christ. As Jesus met the food and shelter needs of the crowd, He initiated a regular, ongoing miracle for the local church to imitate. As we tithe and give cheerfully to the ministry of our local church, Jesus blesses and multiplies our gifts to meet the needs of our local fellowship… “And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:44-45). And Jesus empowers the generous local church to impact the community beyond our fellowship… “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-12).

As we grow up into Christ He empowers the ministries of our local church because He is…

The Power of the Effective Local Church.