The Genius of Church Extension Part IV: Requirements for Church Extension -- By: Luther L. Grubb

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 120:477 (Jan 1963)
Article: The Genius of Church Extension Part IV: Requirements for Church Extension
Author: Luther L. Grubb


The Genius of Church Extension
Part IV:
Requirements for Church Extension

Luther L. Grubb

As certain chemical ingredients are necessary to produce water, so there are certain requirements or requisites for a strong plan of church extension. When God is able through the dedication of His servants to place these spiritual ingredients together, the church grows. Otherwise, it is stunted and subnormal. More of four things are needed in our church extension ministry today.

Increased Spiritual Vision in the Church

1. First, a renewed vision of the holiness of God. Before God can be described as being anything else, He is holy. The Psalms are replete with references to this fact. In chapter 6 of Isaiah’s prophecy he saw the Lord “high and lifted up” and the seraphim cried, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts.” The prophet’s immediate response was, “Woe is me!”

What Isaiah saw, each believer must also see. Against the backdrop of God’s holiness the church sees its need for righteousness and holiness. Her utter bankruptcy in this area aside from the blessings of God causes the members of the church to plead for sanctification. As believers obey the Word of God a true sense of God’s holiness prepares them for further revelations which now are seen in their true spiritual perspective.

2. Next, this spiritual vision also involves a vision of sin as God sees it. Unless a man sees the holiness of God in its true meaning and significance, he cannot see the true nature of sin.

Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” This is a picture of a man shooting at God’s target of morality or righteousness. The marksman not only misses the bull’s-eye, but he misses the entire target. In

man there is the absolute absence of righteousness. This is true of all men without exception (Rom 3:10). Thus God’s nature and man’s nature are at opposite ends of the scale of morality. Then, it is not difficult to receive the truth of Romans 6:23 which says, “For the wages of sin is death.” In his natural, sinful state man is hopelessly wicked and he cannot make himself holy. Therefore, since God is holy He must judge the sin and the sinner.

3. But, thank God, the logic does not end here. The latter part of Romans 6:23 says, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This spiritual vision of the church inclu...

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