| Ministers are more spiritual... |
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| Written by Hamp Lee III | |
| Saturday, 21 July 2007 | |
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This is an adaptation from 10 Misconceptions of New Believers (http://christianity.about.com/od/newchristians/a/misconceptions.htm). Key passages for review: 1 Corinthians...chapters 3-4 and 12-13
Who are ministers, missionaries, etc. (ministers for short)? 1 Corinthians 3:5 (KJV) - Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? Ministers are not immune to the problems of the world: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (KJV) - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. God is no respecter of persons. God is sovereign. Definition: the supreme lawmaking authority, subject to no other.1 He has the right to choose whomever He desires (Job 41:11). Mark 10:13-16 (KJV) - And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. The church is filled with too many primadonnas! Though very, very, very few will ever admit it, the way the ministry 'system' is set up now, it is geared toward prideful ambitions of vainglory (Philippians 2:3). Many people are looking to get on television, radio, and receive major record deals saying it's to spread the gospel further, but underneath, it is all about them and their personal success. That's when people dilute their message to tune it to the fleshly ears of people in order to increase their popularity. 1 Timothy 6:3-12 (KJV) - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. God is not a means to an end (i.e. your glory)! God's name is jealous (Exodus 34:14)...don't get it twisted. Don't place any god before Him (i.e. yourself). Repent!If you have to, build structures and systems of accountability to keep you from these areas. Remove the ministers from sitting in the pulpit (and yourself). Reduce the 'gap' between the ministers and the rest of the congregation - stop treating them as 'special.' Sweep the church every once and a while. Mingle with your congregation...etc. etc. etc. You have an example in Jesus (Matthew 11:29). The scriptures lay out His life and how He lived under the complete submission of His Father (Romans 15:3; Philippians 2:3-8; Hebrews 5:7). He is our example...even when people wanted to place Him in greater positions (of praise, etc.), He continuously took the low road (of humility) focusing on the glory (and praise) of the Father...and so should you: Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV) - Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (read Matthew 21 as well) 1 - Sovereignty. Retrieved July 20,2007 from the Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereignty |
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