Come and Help

By Jan Blonk

There is only one Lord and one harvest, even though there are many boats

When Jesus provided a divinely-orchestrated catch, there was a definite need for “their partners” to “come and help them” (Luke 5:4-7). Their need for help outweighed their own capacity.

What if Christian ministries were to purposely #Unite4Christ with the same mindset when it comes to helping other ministries with the spread of His gospel and the relief of His saints, especially when there is no cost or effort on their part?

Come and Help presents ministries with an excellent opportunity to do much good for the spread of the gospel and the relief of His saints... when we join together in His harvest. It’s free, simple, and easy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jan Blonk
• Release date: Feb 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005498818

Jan Blonk

Are you looking for Christ-centered devotionals, encouraging your faith and walk with Jesus?As a writer, I love to take a Bible verse and dive into its truth and application, especially how it relates to and testifies of Jesus. The Bible is the grand testimony of the person and work of Jesus Christ. He said: "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me" (John 5:39).The goal in all my devotional writing is to explore His beauty, excellence, and glory, for the Christian life is about growing in "the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).I was born and raised in the Netherlands. My Dutch name, Jan, is the equivalent to John and is pronounced "yawn." When I was 19, I entered the U.S. and volunteered at Times Square Church for one year, working on the Raven Truck and at The Upper Room, reaching out to the homeless.When I returned home, I started my external undergraduate degree program with Global University (at that time known as ICI University), while working at the Salvation Army at a homeless shelter in Rotterdam.In 2001, I had the opportunity to pursue my graduate degree program on a work scholarship in Florida. I taught various Biblical and theological subjects at the seminary for six years.I got married to Rachel in 2007 and we have two children. We reside in the Daytona Beach area and attend Christ Community Church.All my books are used as a fundraiser for the spread of the gospel. The featured ministry receives 75% of the royalties: www.thecauseofchrist.com

Book preview

Introduction

The apostle Paul wrote: Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Those who are familiar with the King James Version know this verse as, Redeeming the time . . . (Eph. 5:16). In the context of that passage, Paul relates such time-redemption as awakening from sleep, rising from the dead, walking as a wise person, and understanding God’s will. He exhorts Christians to "not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:14-17).

To redeem the time is to make the best use of the time, which is the pursuit of the will of the Lord. What is His will, though? When Jesus was about to ascend into the heavens, presenting His finished work to the Father, He left His disciples with the great commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (Matt. 28:19-20).

In Mark, He stated that commission with these words: Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:15-16).

At the core of His great commission is evangelism and discipleship. While there is a definite distinction between evangelism and missions, both terms are in relation to sharing the gospel with a lost world, whether at home or cross-culturally.

Discipleship is obviously in relation to those who have been saved, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. As such, Jesus’ mission is the sharing of the gospel and the making of disciples.

In a world where terms are occasionally redefined and history is sometimes rewritten, we must be clear that biblical ministry is the sharing of the good news about Jesus Christ and the making of dedicated disciples, those who embrace all of Jesus’ teaching.

Such gospel-centered ministry includes the provision of the things needed for the body (James 2:16). Thus, providing the essentials like water, food, and clothing is a definite part of biblical ministry. Jesus implied such till-the-end-of-this-age provisions when He said: For you always have the poor with you (Matt. 26:11).

Caring for the poor, orphans, and widows is undeniably clear throughout the Bible. Paul referred to acts of mercy (Rom. 12:8) as a part of ministry. Such acts, though, should include the message of the gospel, lest they will gain what is needed in this world, while eternally losing out on the world to come. At the core of all evangelism, missions, and discipleship is the salvation and sanctification of eternal souls.

This book wants to encourage Christians to expand their view of Jesus’ mission and become more intent about redeeming their God-given opportunities. As someone who raises funds for the spread of the gospel through reputable ministries, I often encounter a myopic view of Jesus’ mission and numerous unredeemed opportunities to do good to everyone . . . especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10).

While this book is in relation to every Christian—every believer is called to be an essential part of Jesus’ mission—it is specifically written in relation to ministries. When Paul wrote, Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2), is that not also applicable to ministries in relation to other ministries, especially when they have the means and opportunity to do so?

Even though Paul may have addressed Christians in particular—we are often far more occupied with our own burdens than those of others—is Jesus’ law not also true when it comes to a large group of Christians, those who work in a particular ministry? What is true for