Mustard Seed Thoughts #3

In the writings of the Apostle Paul, he would often refer to the churches he ministered to with a special bond. He would use words like he had wanted to go to meet them desperately, he was grateful for their fellowship or thanked them for the gifts they gave him. You cannot deny that in our churches today, the relationship factor is weak or even missing. We meet our fellow members each week, greet each other and have no interest to relate further unless they are part of our clique. It is sad when visitors come searching for their questions to be answered in Christ, only to find a cold and unwelcoming group of believers that do not even bother to say hello or extend the hand of fellowship to them.

In 2 Cor 7, Paul drew the picture of a weary person – ‘our bodies had no rest, we were troubled on every side, outside were conflicts, inside were fears’. (Ch7:5) Can this possibly describe the visitors or believers coming to a fellowship? Then Paul reminded them that by the coming of Titus they were all comforted and refreshed (7:6) Titus was a disciple of Paul and he even wrote a book in the New Testament. Like Timothy, he was Paul’s prodigy. So Titus turned the situation around and caused it to change for the better. Titus was instrumental in ‘making the church come alive’.

Notice this: Before Titus could do such a task, he was first ministered to by the Corinthian Church. Paul had boasted about the ministry and hospitality of this church to Titus earlier (7:4, 14) He was confident that any weary and discouraged person would find the encouragement here.(7:16) This is powerful. This is what the church is all about. Each week members and visitors come for fellowship with the hope of touching God. They also want God to minister to them in a real and specific way. Needs are real. When we come together, is there a dynamic synergy where we actually minister to one another with the grace, strength, mercy, goodness etc of God? Can we leave the person lifted up when he/she leaves?

Paul identified 3 things about this dynamism. First of all, the church had received Titus (7:15) It is a great start when people feel welcomed and are well received. There are no judgments or criticisms. We are all sinners saved by grace. Each one has his/her own problems and struggles. No one is exempted. Titus felt wanted and encouraged by the openness of the church. Then, Paul mentioned that Titus’ spirit was refreshed. (7:13) There must have been a specific ministry towards Titus that caused him to be refreshed. In another version, it says ‘he was strengthened spiritually’. What activities do we carry out in church? We must remember that our focus has to be ‘God and God alone’ activities where there is a definite ministry that uplifts the spirit when we come together.

Finally, he was released to comfort the church.(7;6) They were all encouraged by the coming of Titus. He must have ministered to them. Titus could not do this unless he was first refreshed. This is what must happen each time we meet for church or fellowship. We encourage one another to see the advancement of God’s kingdom. We must practice the principles of the kingdom. There is a dynamic release of God’s power and spirit when we gather and minister (to one another) as His body.