Spotlight 13/2017: There is strength in numbers
The best way to praise God is with a strong congregation. This is what District Apostle Markus Fehlbaum from Switzerland is convinced of and mentions a few thoughts what such a congregation might look like.
I was invited to the divine service in which the Chief Apostle issued our 2017 motto: “Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4: 20). It is a heartfelt concern of mine to personally implement this agenda and to go about my work as a District Apostle so that our heavenly Father is glorified in all congregations.
As strong and joyful congregations we want to glorify God by coming across to people in a loving and kind way that touches them so that they are urged to want to have fellowship with us.
- My wish is that the congregations are like the first Christian church in Jerusalem (Acts 2: 43–47): congregations who serve God out of gratitude and who bring their sacrifices of love joyfully and congregations who—inspired by the Holy Spirit—glorify God in word and deed. My wish is that the congregations are touched by the suffering of their fellow human beings, that they do a lot of good, demonstrate how faithful God is and that one can trust in Him, and practise unity and reconciliation.
- I would like congregations in which the atmosphere is the same as described in Acts 2: 47: “… praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” I would like congregations in which the prospect of the Lord’s return to come and get His bride is perceptible—the kind of joy that is described in Revelation 19: 6–7.
That is what I want. And to achieve this purpose I will work untiringly with God’s help.
Another wish and resolution I have made concerns our efforts to help those souls who—for whatever reasons—have fallen by the wayside. We are seized with compassion when we think of them. Let us not treat with reproaches but with true love. We want them to feel at home in our congregations again. The Lord Jesus made this clear in His parable of the prodigal son. Let us glorify God our Father in the same way!
The congregation is important! We are not lone fighters. Strength is found in numbers. By supporting and helping each other, praying for each other, and sharing good times as well as bad times we glorify our Father in heaven.
The key to this we find in Acts 2: 42. Let us continue steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer—from this we can derive strength in order to glorify God our Father today and for all eternity.