Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The most popular concept
of the ministry is that of a profession which one chooses, trains for,
and then practices with the attendant salaries, retirement programs,
and other perks and benefits. According to this concept, the
hired man is paid to preach, teach, visit, counsel, pray,
perform weddings and funerals, and to generally be in charge
of everything. In the religious tradition I grew up in, the ministry
was something one surrendered to do, as though some great sacrifice
of life and liberty was at stake. Today many so-called ministers
see this office as a place of great dignity and desire to be
set apart in a special class of men, and sometimes even women,
called the clergy. Then they make a distinction
between themselves and the common people, who are now known as
the laity. This is perhaps part of the error
of the doctrine of the Nicolaitans spoken of in the book of the
Revelation. For when that name is literally translated, it means
conquering the people. The concept is even taken to
the point where many believe that the clergy have some special
place of mediation between man and God. This is to usurp the
place of Christ, who is the one mediator between God and man. Now I in no way want to demean
the offices that God calls men to do, nor do I wish to disparage
the fact that He gives gifts to men to perform the functions
of these offices, apostles, prophets, evangelists, etc. These callings
or gifts cannot be chosen as one selects a career or applies
for a job. Only God can give a man these
gifts and fit him for the work he is to do. A man cannot decide
to have them or reject them. They are simply bestowed by the
sovereign purpose of the Almighty. For the gifts and calling of
God are without repentance. But we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and
not of us. If a man thinks that he has one
of these gifts and is able to keep silent, then it is evident
that he does not have this calling. While it is true that there is
a calling and giving of gifts to men such as pastors and teachers,
the work of the ministry is the calling of all of God's people.
And it is the plan of God that the saints be equipped, that
is, perfected for that work through the exercising of these gifts.
Each of the Lord's children is called to the work of the ministry,
which is the building up of the body. We each have a great responsibility
to minister one to the other. We might paraphrase Paul's teaching
to the Ephesians on the work of the ministry as this, to prepare
God's people for works of service so that the body of Christ may
be built up. So rather than having a minister,
we are all ministers for the benefit of the whole body. How
might we minister one to the other? I believe our ministry
to each other falls into three categories which all go hand
in hand and in some ways are inseparable. Number one, we are
to edify one another. An edifice is a building and
the root of the word is the same as edify. It simply means to
build up and strengthen one another. We do this by helping each other
understand the Word of God. We do this by setting a good
example for our brethren by our deportment and conduct. Paul
said, All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful for me,
but all things edify not. While we have no list of do's
and don'ts which we are bound to follow, we need to be mindful
that we do not cause our brethren to stumble because we exercise
our liberty. Such a thing is harmful and does
not strengthen them. We edify our brethren when we
rebuke them for sin in a Christlike manner. We are our brother's
keeper. We edify our brethren through
the exercise of faith by being steadfast and unmovable. Number
two, we are to exhort one another. Exhortation is synonymous with
encouragement. We are indeed to be supporting
and cheering on our brothers and sisters in the faith. We
ourselves are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, that is,
supporters. We must step up this activity in the face of the shortness
of time. Often the very fact of our presence
at the assembly is a great encouragement one to the other. Number three,
we are to comfort one another. Much like an infant needs reassuring,
so often our brethren are in need of the same. Blessed is
that man who can recognize and meet this need. We comfort one
another when we handle our afflictions with faith. We comfort one another
when we have been given the spirit of forgiveness rather than judgment.
We are comforted when our brethren walk in faith. Are you ministering
to the brethren, or are you content to be ministered unto? He who
is the servant of all is greatest in the kingdom of God. For a
free CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email
to forthepoor at windstream.net