Tim, I think that rightly understood the maturity of individual Christians is inseparable from the growing of the gospel message throughout the world.
Let me take slight issue with this bit of your quote:
...[it's not that] Paul is not concerned or involved in the sending of others and the spreading of the gospel, he does, however seem strongly concerned for the maturity of the individual, that the "end point" (I'm not sure I like my term) of the Church should be to present all perfect in Christ, mature in Him, to see that all finish running the race, to receive the crown etc. etc.
[italics mine]
Is this really the church's end point? I am not sure it is. If the church has a purpose
(and one of my favourite theologians, Broughton Knox, said the church has no purpose at all, it is the purpose—not an exact quote)
then it is to bring glory to God through his son Jesus Christ.
See Ephesians 1, esp vv 3-14, esp within them vv 8-9, and esp vv 20-23 and within them esp v 23—oh ok then, let's say especially the whole chapter!
Then when you continue his argument on into chapter 2 and chapter 3, you find at the climax of the argument towards the end of Ephesians 3 the following:
Eph. 3:7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
and then again
Eph. 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Eph. 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
You see here in Ephesians 3 that glory to God comes through the church and is revealed to the whole of creation ("rulers and authorities in the heavenly places"—but if them, then everyone and everything).
So the point at issue is how we bring glory to God (soli Deo Gloria, one of the five great Reformation slogans). And this happens, in Ephesians and elsewhere, as we know him and proclaim him in the world. (Knowing will of course involve growing, or it is not true knowing).
I may be stretching, but is one of your interests in asking that you are concerned about doing evangelism in church meetings versus looking after the regulars by giving in-depth teaching and doing other things that will cater for their needs? If not, then feel free to ignore this as a silly question on my part. I have no idea whether it reflects your current situation!
Oh, and here is a great passage about what it's all about, 'it' including the church, I believe. It's Paul writing in 1 Corinthians:
15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
You see? The glory of God, manifested only in and through the glory of the Son, in fulfilment of the Son's prayer in John 17.
Now, it may be that God's "end point" (as you describe it) for us is that we be presented mature in Christ and so on. that's in Ephesians 5:21-31, Revelation 21:1-8, and elsewhere. But again, he does this for his own glory, not us. His love has no basis whatsoever in the righteousness of the ones he loves. (cf. Deut 7:6-8)
Oh, and if I remember I will get Fifi's recipe for that mince. I think the magic ingredient is red lentils. Thanks again for looking after our place.
Hey BTW yours is the first blog I've ever seen that is all profile and no blog! Great collection of music, I must work my way through the list with the help of the local library.
PS Have you seen our can opener?
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