By Joel Comiskey, Making Disciples in the 21st Century Church
Greetings as we begin a new year together.
At JCG, we often talk about disciple-making as the why behind cell church ministry. But is there an even higher motivation than making disciples? I believe so. Scripture teaches that the highest motivation in the Christian life is to give glory to God.
We labor in the cell church movement for this reason. Positively stated, God uses cell-based churches because He is glorified as people are transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, and His church becomes healthier and more biblically grounded. Put another way, when the church reflects Christ more clearly, God receives the glory He deserves.
Scripture is unmistakably clear on this theme. The Old Testament repeatedly points us to God’s glory. For example:
“I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me,” declares the Lord, “that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory” (Jeremiah 13:11).
Jesus echoes this exact purpose:
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
And Paul brings it all the way into everyday life:
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31; cf. 6:20).
Our aim in the cell church movement, then, is nothing less than presenting Jesus with a purified bride—for the glory of the Father.
During my devotions this past year, I’ve been reading a few pages each day from God’s Passion for His Glory: Living the Vision of Jonathan Edwards. Chapter two alone is worth the price of the book. It has deeply reinforced this central truth: everything God does—and everything we do—is ultimately about His glory.
For the last two weeks of January and the first week of February, let’s focus on the theme of God’s glory. Click here if you’d like to receive these blogs directly in your inbox.
We will cover:
- January 18–24: The biblical basis for God’s glory
- January 25–31: Giving God glory through the cell group. How do transformed lives through house-to-house ministry glorify God? (community, the priesthood of all believers, evangelism, multiplication)
- February 1–7: Giving God glory through the cell system. Hearing God’s Word with an expectation of obedience, equipping systems, and coaching
May Jesus bless you abundantly in this new year, and my prayer is that you would give glory to God in all you say and do