Cooperation in the Gospel

We serve together in a Great Commission to reach the world for Christ.  Each day there are thousands of people who reach the end of their natural life, and the majority of them scripture teaches are doomed for hell.  This is a sad reality, especially because we hold the everlasting cure to an eternity separated from God.  How shall we change this bleak outlook?  The scriptures teach us that it will be through cooperation with the Holy Spirit (God), and our fellow churches.

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing .” John 15:5KJV

“For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.  It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.” Romans 15:26-27

“Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.” Phil 4:15-17

Depending on ourselves and our abilities will lead to more trouble and heartache.  That was the road we came from.  Before salvation we walked the road doing what we could for ourselves.  Even the good works we had led to trying to earn a salvation we could never attain.  “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life” and without him “ye can do nothing.”  We must continually see that our ways and our life reflect Him and emanate from His truth.

It is easy at times to see our gathering of believers as a solitary island among a sea of sinfulness in the community.  Reality is that there are many other believer gatherings throughout our community and the world, striving to glorify God through His wonderful gospel.  Paul had this greater vision of the church when he encouraged giving for the benefit of the other churches.  Seeing above, churches in Macedonia first received benefits when the Philippians supported Paul in his missionary travels; then returned in gratitude an offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem who were being persecuted greatly.  Service was not only in money, but also believers would have been sent in delivery and ministry to the other congregations.

In our modern day fellowship this teamwork is accomplished in the Cooperative Program (CP).  As you give an offering a portion of it is forwarded to the KY Baptist Convention, and then on to the national Southern Baptist Convention.  Through our combined efforts over 10,000 missionaries are supported, reaching to the ends of the earth.