CHAPTER SIX

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE WORKING SAINTS AND THE NEW WAY IN THE LORD’S RECOVERY

Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:13-17; Phil. 1:19-21a; Eph. 4:12, 16; 2 Tim. 4:7-8, 18b

OUTLINE

1. God’s need in His economy today:
   1. The young and the middle-aged saints-1 John 2:13-17:
      1. Those believers who are grown-up in God’s life.
      2. Having overcome the evil one.
      3. Being strong.
      4. Having the word of God abiding within.
      5. Loving not the world nor the things of the world.
      6. Practicing the will of God.
   2. The saints who are the fathers-1 John 2:13-14:
      1. Those believers who are mature in God’s life.
      2. Knowing the Christ who was before all things, who also is the Word of life who was there in the beginning-1 John 1:1.
      3. Continuing to know this eternal Christ by the inner life until maturity.
   3. The Lord’s achievement in grace:
      1. In time and place.
      2. In circumstances.
      3. In grace.
      4. In the church.
2. In the past, there being many men and few opportunities, whereas now, there being many opportunities and few men:
   1. The meetings and the service in the past not affording enough opportunity for the saints to serve:
      1. On the one hand, helping people to be regenerated and to grow.
      2. On the other hand, taking away peoples’ opportunity to serve the Lord.
   2. The meetings and the service today creating unlimited opportunities for the saints to serve:
      1. Opportunity abounding everywhere, from preaching the gospel by visitation, through the home meetings, to the small group meetings and the district meetings.
      2. Affording the saints the chance to let out a breath of life, which is their desire to serve the Lord.
3. Meeting the Lord’s present need:
   1. By recalling the past experiences and vision.
   2. By responding to the Lord’s attraction and calling.
   3. By renewing the former commitment and consecration.
   4. By setting aside one’s time and specifically budgeting one’s daily life.
   5. By fulfilling all the needs in the new way:
      1. Visiting people to preach the gospel and to gain new ones.
      2. Regularly and consistently helping the new ones in the home meetings.
      3. Diligently learning to help the small group meetings.
      4. Seriously pursuing functioning and prophesying in the district meetings.
4. A glorious living and a glorious goal:
   1. Living-to live Christ-Phil. 1:19-21a.
   2. Goal-to build up the Body of Christ-Eph. 4:12, 16.
   3. Result-to receive the reward in the kingdom-2 Tim. 4:7-8, 18b.