01/06/14 CONCERNING MINISTRY AND CHURCH CONDITIONS

01/06/14 CONCERNING MINISTRY AND CHURCH CONDITIONS

As With The Human Body, the Local Body of Believers often suffers set-backs and losses as it ages, or when it is sick, or wounded. Even when the vision for great ministries continues, the doing of the work will be hampered when there are not enough working parts in the body.

Never think your presence and participation are extraneous. Each part has a part to do. Those who have the ability, should follow the lead of the one who has the vision. It is hierarchical (which is not popular with modern Christianity), but that is the way God designed it. Biblical leaders are not ogres, forcing their own agendas, but they are loving rulers, enabling the individual members to use their gifts and abilities to drive back the darkness. Examine your life. See if you are spending and being spent for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body.

A smaller body of believers is limited in resources, but not defeated in ministry. A larger body, that has leadership with no vision, or a laity that has little or no commitment may not be limited in resources, but it is defeated in ministry.

BIBLICAL HIERARCHY (leaders in service)...
Ephesians 4:11-13
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Hebrews 13:7
(7) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Hebrews 13:17
(17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

THE BIBLICAL CHURCH...
Matthew 16:16-19
(16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
(17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
(18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.