Life Flow, Fellowship, Work vs. Church Growth, Building, Expansion
John 7:37-39 "On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.' He spoke this about the Spirit who would be received by those who believed in him."
1 John 1:3 "That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. And really our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ."
Revelation 2:4-5 "But I have a few things against you, because you have left your first love. Remember therefore from whence you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."
Ephesians 4:16 "From Him the whole body, being joined and knit together by every joint which supplies the rich supply, by the operation of each part according to its measure, makes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
Matthew 16:18 "And I say to you, that you are Peter. And upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth."
Analysis Item |
Life Flow |
Fellowship |
Work |
Church Growth |
Building |
Expansion |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic Meaning |
Divine life flowing outward from within |
Saints' communion in life |
Spiritual work accomplished by God through man |
Church's increase and maturation in life |
Church's structural organization |
Church's geographical spread |
Core Essence |
Source and power of life |
Exchange and sharing of life |
Manifestation and function of life |
Inner life development |
Inner structural soundness |
Outer scope enlargement |
Main Features |
Natural, continuous, from within outward |
Mutual, living, life connection |
Concrete, effective, manifesting Christ |
Progressive, solid, qualitative improvement |
Orderly, harmonious, functional health |
Transcendent, breakthrough, quantitative increase |
Realization Method |
Let the Lord have the first place as the first love |
Fellowship in divine life |
Service motivated by first love |
Natural growth through life flow |
Coordination of members functioning |
Gospel preaching to all places and peoples |
Practice |
Prayer, Bible reading, devotion, obedience |
Meetings, sharing, mutual care |
Evangelism, shepherding, teaching |
Receiving life supply, exercise |
Member coordination, gift operation |
Sending, pioneering, church planting |
Key Scripture |
John 7:37-39 - "Rivers of living water flowing from within" |
1 John 1:3 - "Fellowship with the Father and His Son" |
Revelation 2:4-5 - "Return to the first love and first works" |
Ephesians 4:16 - "Body grows and builds itself up in love" |
Matthew 16:18 - "I will build My church" |
Acts 1:8 - "Witnesses to the ends of the earth" |
The Organic Flow of Six Aspects
Life Flow → Fellowship → Work
↓ ↓ ↓
Church Growth ← Church Building ← Church Expansion
The Organic Relationship of Six Aspects
- 1. Life Flow is the source, providing power for all spiritual activities
- 2. Fellowship is the bridge, enabling life to flow and be shared among the saints
- 3. Work is the expression, concretizing the inner life flow and fellowship
- 4. Church Growth is inner development, continuously maturing in life
- 5. Church Building is structural perfection, gradually becoming functionally healthy
- 6. Church Expansion is outer breakthrough, continuously extending in scope
Summary Points
- One Divine Stream: All six aspects flow from one divine source
- Balanced Development: All aspects must develop simultaneously
- Life as Foundation: Everything must be based on divine life flow
- Christ as Head: Only with the Lord as first love can produce gold, silver, precious stones work
Overall Summary
This comprehensive analysis reveals six interconnected aspects of church life and ministry, all flowing from one divine stream. The progression moves from the inner life flow through fellowship and work, resulting in church growth, building, and expansion. Each aspect is essential and must be balanced with the others, with divine life as the foundation and Christ as the head of all spiritual activity.
The ultimate goal is building the church as God's corporate expression, like the New Jerusalem, filled with God's glory as the mutual dwelling place of God and man for eternity.
*Please refer to the April 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training General Topic: Oneness and the Vital Aspects of Acts Chapter 5 Keep Yourself in the One Flow of the Lord’s Work for the Expansion of the Church and Be Saved by the Lord’s Mercy from Satan’s Schemes