The purpose of “preaching” is to RECEIVE our INHERITANCE (through salvation). The purpose of “teaching” is to RELEASE our DESTINY (through discipleship).

     Which is to first INHALE the love of God from above (salvation), and to then EXHALE the love of God into loving our neighbour as ourselves (discipleship).

     Which is when we move from being HEARERS of the Word (salvation - Mark 16) into being DOERS of the Word (discipleship - Matthew 28).

     Which is when the Word (seed) becomes FLESH (life).

     Which is to become “the pump house of God’s love” - in the similitude of the pattern of the working of the human heart. Which is to first inhale “the Spirit” of love through loving the Lord our God with all our heart (Matthew 22:37), and then to exhale “the life” of that love through loving our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Which is why Jesus says the words that I speak are Spirit, and they are life. Which is when we move from being hearers only of the Word into being doers (James 1:22).

     Which is why the symbol of love is the human heart. For the heart pumps the oxygen-rich blood (Spirit-filled) to the rest of the body (life). Which is why the LORD says that if we get these two things right, we have fulfilled all the law (Matthew 22:40). For did Jesus Himself not say that I have come not to abolish the law, but to FULFIL it? (Matthew 5:17). Which is why we have both “church” and “home group” fellowship. Church is where we go to worship God our Father. Which is to FULFIL “the law of love” of loving our God with all our heart and all our soul and all our strength (Matthew 22:37). And after drinking from the wellspring of love, we then go and pour out our overflowing cup of love in loving our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Which is how we make the Word flesh. Which is to go to the “Spirit” to first RECEIVE through the fellowship of “communion” (church), and then to RELEASE that Spirit through the fellowship of “community” (home group) so that it may become “life”.

     So it’s not a case of either or, but both, as a single expression of fulfilling the great commission of love. Just like the two sides of the heart are one. One side to receive, and one side to release.

     We go to church to HEAR the Word (RECEIVE), and we go home group to DO the Word (RELEASE). For the intimacy of the small group is conducive to where the Spirit of God can disciple His people. And through that platform of releasing through discipleship, the Word may become flesh. Which is when all the earth shall be filled with great glory of our God.