Working Together for Greater Impact

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet – Acts 4: 32-37, NIV

After His ascension and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, we saw the Church in the Acts of the Apostles do greater works as Jesus had promised. The Bible records that “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all…” It is important to note that one key factor for this great impact was the fact that there was a strong bond of unity and cooperation among them: “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had…” We need to work together and be deeply united to experience greater impact in our generation.

We need to work together and be deeply united to experience greater impact in our generation

I believe that Christ’s promise and assurance to do greater works was to the Disciples as the Church – as a body first. Though an individual member of the body can appropriate and key into this promise and be used by God to do greater works, I believe it is not to be independent of the body. The power of God is to be expressed corporately as the body of Christ. I believe that the days of supermen and champions in the body of Christ are over. God is much more interested in the body, His Church, manifesting the fullness and glory of His power in this endtime than self-centered individuals who care only for their own name and fame. No part of the body should seek to be more prominent than the body, and more still than the head Himself which is Christ. Though some will normally be prominent because of leadership roles and the special gifts they have received, yet it will not be about them. It will be about the King and His Kingdom; It will be about the Glory of God. There is greater power generated when Christians unite and agree for the cause of the gospel. Though one will do great works, when we come together and unite in true faith and love we will do exceeding greater works.

God is much more interested in the body, His Church, manifesting the fullness and glory of His power in this endtime than self-centered individuals who care only for their own name and fame

Look again at the record in the Acts of Apostles. The Bible says “All the believers were one in heart and mind…” and note the impact that followed in the subsequent verses: “…And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: …” And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:43-47). And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).

If we can truly pray, work together, and unite in true faith and love, we would be able to surmount these challenges and do exceeding great works for God that the world has never seen.

Jesus understood the impact of unity and love very clearly and prayed to the Father to give us His disciples the spirit of unity (John 17:20-23) and that we might deeply love one another (John 15:12, 17). It is when we work together in unity and love, and each of us functions in his or her place that we will experience this great power and impact. In the Agents of Change Network, we have recognized the impact of true unity and love and have made it one of our core values. We believe when we come together as members of the body of Christ in the different platforms God has given to us and pool our God-given gifts and resources, we will create a greater impact in our generation. Our common goal is to glorify God and His Son Jesus. We also encourage every member to discover his or her role and calling in the body and work together in unity and cooperation with other members of the body of Christ. Our generation is confronted with myriads of challenges. There is the rise of atheism, satanism, pluralism, confusion in sexuality and gender, hyper-intellectualism, digital explosion, secularism, leadership scandals, corruption, economic crises, pestilences, war, humanitarian disasters, youth restiveness, human rights violations, crime, violence, perversion, drug abuse, worldliness, terrorism, persecution, etc. The nations are in darkness, and the frontiers of the kingdom need to be extended on all fronts. Indeed, there is a need for greater grace and the supernatural power of God. If we can truly pray, work together, and unite in true faith and love, we would be able to surmount these challenges and do exceeding great works for God that the world has never seen. I urge you to seek the Lord to use you more than ever before. Call to Him and lay hold on Him until He comes to you like a mighty rushing wind. Do not be satisfied with doing less; cry out for the fullness and power of God in your life. And more importantly, commit yourself to true fellowship and the unity of the brethren. Be of one heart and soul together with all Agents of Change – Christ’s disciples – everywhere you are. “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:1-4).