workman in this affair. And what He gets is the glory of being the benefactor of grace, not the beneficiary of service. Nor should we think that after justification our labor for God begins. Those who make a work out of sanctification demean the glory of God. Jesus Christ is "our righteousness and sanctification" (1 Cor. 1:30). "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:2-3). God was the workman in our justification, and He will be the workman in our sanctification. Religious "flesh" always wants to work for God. But "if you live according to the flesh you will die" (Rom. 8:13). That is why our very lives hang on not working for God, both in justification and sanctification. The disciple, therefore, is to labor to “enter into God’s rest.” This comes through focusing on Christ, His work, His salvation, and His instructions throughout the Scriptures. For as the convert came to salvation, so shall he be sanctified, that is, through faith in Christ alone. Although the primary motivation for this ministry originates with the words of Jesus in Matthew 28 and the manifold Scriptures that emphasize the importance of doctrinal purity and practice in young adults, the current trends in culture and the modern church raise further concern and call for biblical solutions. There is deep uneasiness with some movements and methods in the evangelical church that seem to be diminishing the church’s life and leading people away from historic beliefs and practices of Christianity. Young people are entering a world of idolatry, filled with personal consumerism, while the church does not challenge theological and moral relativism. This presents a danger to the faith in ensuing generations. The concern is that the famine of truth revealed in the times of the Judges is revisiting our nation. “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the
ministry should not only show dependence on the Lord but also dependence on one another. In no way must the leadership think of themselves as self-sufficient. As MacArthur says, “God calls some people to be leaders and others to serve leaders. Sometimes those who serve leaders do that throughout their lives. Often, however, they are being prepared by God to be leaders themselves. But whatever the roles of the workers, when the Lord's work is done in the Lord's way, it will always be done with a spirit of unity, teamwork, and mutual dependence.” Personnel within the Young Reformers ministry will consist of the Senior Pastor of CCCF, the appointed young adults pastor, and a panel of men and woman who act as counselors and advisors within the ministry. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). It is the genuine intent to duplicate, reproduce, and empower leadership in this ministry. Even a casual observation of the Great Commission in Matthew 28 will show that Jesus delegated and gave power away. The expectation is to develop, empower, and train disciples who will in turn disciple and lead others. Budget and Communication “Good stewardship and cheap are different concepts. Like it or not, times have changed. People are more quality conscious than ever. Their preference is for programs that look rehearsed and printing that appears professional, to name a few. Catering to their needs and concerns have all become a part of our cultural expectations. The church, perhaps more than any other organization, needs to care about how and where we spend our limited dollars. The temptation is to find the cheapest provider, the least expensive furnishings, the lowest bidder for service—thinking this is good stewardship! The previous insight highlights the need for the Young Reformers ministry to conduct itself with a spirit of excellence. Such excellence will require manpower and sufficient resources.