As many that have received the gift,
minister it to one another,
as good stewards of the Grace of God
1Peter4:7
As many that have received the gift,
minister it to one another,
as good stewards of the Grace of God
1Peter4:7
|
Jesus is the living "head of the church" for all believers. He has designed a way for us to follow him, even as the original twelve disciples followed him. They walked at his side, discoursed with him, and were both witnesses and partakers of his spiritual ministry. They new his voice; saw his power; and marveled at his wisdom. They new him! Though I fear that few nominal Christians are able to say they know him. Yes we have heard about him, but do we know him? Perhaps the greatest thing to be revealed in the "gospel" is that we not only may know him, but have fellowship with him and partake in his nature and his ministry. In the gathering of believers in a place of meeting can we say that we leave that meeting, knowing him better? Can we say that we have heard his voice, felt his presence, or were Empowered by his touch. Ministry Edifies, Strengthens, and Blesses It would be good for unbelieving eyes to see what things can and do happen in a place of meeting. God can make his glorious presence known; lift people out of their fears and oppression; bring joy and healing; restore broken hearts and broken relationships and save peoples souls. Church liturgy was put together in a time far past, perhaps following shortly after the kind of glorious kind of fellowship described above. There may have had good intentions. Perhaps of preserving some of the truth or glory of those earlier days. Maybe they wished to insure the manifestation of God's presence and to provide a platform to disciple those who needed to under stand the truth of Christ's eternal ministry. The Bible shows that God's presence can not be captured and preserved. The Israelites of Old tried to do so, but when God's Glory departed it was gone they were left with a lifeless idol. The temple remained the glory was gone. The brazen serpent remained but the manifestation of its power was gone. God's continued glory and fellowship with us is determined by the hearts of those who gather to worship him. With passing years catechism remained but the glory had been lost. The ritual remained and the liturgical trappings remained but the presence of God vanished. Ritual happens, I believe, when men try to duplicate a behavior which once brought forth the glory of God through faith. Elements
that remained were vainly held and became a substitution
for God's presence. "Ministry" became the focus
of a very small body of liturgical experts, called
the priesthood or the clergy, when it was always
to be the domain of every believer. Just as God
wishes each believer to be a ministering priest,
he wishes us to become a true worshipper.
What is this true worshipper and what is worshipping
the Father in Spirit and in Truth? (John 4:23) God
is always looking for True Worshippers. He looks
at the hearts he does not regard the man with the
religious uniform over a common person whose heart
is open. He does not favor a cathedral over a location
which has been made ready on the inside of us. As
Jesus told the woman at the well of Samaria, it
is not where you worship, not this mountain or
another mountain, but what and how we worship.
He said to her that some do not know what they
are even worshipping but the truth is that salvation
is connected to worship, it is through the foundation
of the Jews. The time was coming, Jesus explained,
when men and women women would worship the Most
High God in Spirit. Those who do not have this
Spirit can not have the revelation of God of which
Jesus spoke.
"Knowledge makes arrogant, love edifies." |
Stating
that Every Believer
Becomes a Disciple
-Mathew
28:19
|
Discipleship 1 Spiritual Growth
Learning
Christ, Partaking In His Ministry
Where
do we go to seek wisdom
and the answers to the secrets
of life?
Do
we inquire according to
secular wisdom, or religious
teachings? Or is there
another?
How
does Godly Wisdom contrast
to secular wisdom?
How
does Godly Wisdom contrast
with "religious" wisdom?
3
PARADIGMS
OF WISDOM AND TRUTH
The
Paradigm of Worldly Wisdom Contrasted
to Godly Wisdom
1Cor:1:19: For it is written,
I will destroy the wisdom
of the wise, and will bring to
nothing the understanding
of the prudent.
(KJV)1Cor:1:21: For after
that in the wisdom of God the
world by
wisdom knew not God, it pleased
God by the foolishness of
preaching to save them that believe.
(KJV)
THE PARADIGM OF WORLDLY WISDOM
Worldly
wisdom extols and rewards self-exaltation
and individuality Godly wisdom
(the Truth) says deny yourself
take up your cross, die to
yourself. In the Jesus,
Spirit-led model of wisdom no
man is "good "Worldly wisdom is
based upon observation and the
appearance of things
Godly
wisdom (the Truth) The unseen
things are eternal and have a substance
yet to be known by human reason.
Worldly wisdom is based upon "scientific"
principle and measurable
phenomena.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches
that if you believe in the unseen
you have faith and will see the
results manifested.
Worldly wisdom features the domination or rule of the strong and the mighty. Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches that God chooses the weak and the insignificant to shame the wise and strong.
Worldly wisdom devalues humans with few assets, childlike meekness and simplicity. Godly wisdom (the Truth) reveals that the greatest in the kingdom of God are like children. Humble, trusting, and meek.
Worldly wisdom values and rewards intellectual achievement and scholarship. Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches that the wisdom of man is foolishness to him.
Worldly wisdom recognizes classes as inferior or superior rank and class, this is respect of persons. Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches that those who are poor shall eventually receive the blessings of the kingdom. The proud and the mighty he scatters and turns away.
Worldly wisdom's view of the "vast timeless universe" diminishes or negates the need of a savior. Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches that God created the heaven and the earth by wisdom and all things that are in it. And he called his creation "good."
Worldly wisdom features "self preservation" as a principle Godly wisdom (the Truth) speaks of self sacrifice as a divine virtue
Worldly wisdom believes life may well be over when one dies Godly wisdom (the Truth) we are eternal beings who retain our own soul's personal identity forever. Some will inherit eternal blessings and others will inherit eternal separation from God.
Worldly wisdom presumes that God regards each religion or faith democratically. Godly wisdom (the Truth) reveals that one nation is the chosen people of God. The Bible established upon infallible promises, states that there is only one mediator between God and man. Jesus the son of God, the king of the Jews.
Worldly wisdom presumes that God does not favor any one nation over another. Godly wisdom (the Truth) reveals that one nation is the chosen people of God. There is only one mediator between God and man. Jesus the son of God, the king of the Jews.
Worldly wisdom would suggest there is one God who is simply called by many names. Godly wisdom (the Truth) though there are many gods there is but one God who is above all and we can hold no god higher than He.
Worldly
wisdom presumes that
God is essentially
impersonal.
Godly
wisdom (the Truth)
says that we can become
sons of God. Adapted
into the family. We
are called to inherit
the blessings and
partake in His
divine nature.
Worldly
wisdom believes that
all of the human race
are automatically
"children
of God" Godly wisdom
(the Truth) Whoever
believes on the Son
of God, Jesus Christ
has eternal life.
Whoever has not the
son has no life but
the
condemnation of God
remains upon them.
Paradigm of Religious Wisdom
In
the religious paradigm
the religious life
centers around a "church
house"
In the religious paradigm
the church house is
called "the house
of God"
In the religious paradigm
the church building
is called the "Church"
In the religious paradigm
traditions include
various church features
or - -
traditions such as:
pulpits
and pews, stained
glass windows, organs
and 'sacred music'
solemnity and formalism,
ecclesiastical garb
robes, orders of service,
ritual, - -
designated ranks of
clerical authority.
In the religious paradigm
a formally trained
priest or clergy "officiates"
over
the
"services"
In the religious paradigm
a formal address or
sermon delivered to
the faithful is called
"preaching"
In the religious paradigm
one or two hours a
week meets the requirements
of personal involvement
In the religious paradigm
only the professionally
trained clergy are
qualified to "minister"
In the religious paradigm
there is "respect
of persons" relative
to spiritual rank
or authority
In the religious paradigm
members may be totally
disassociated in worship
or prayer
In the religious paradigm
a person's spiritual
life is governed,
directed or sustained
by another
In the religious paradigm
the exploits of God
and Saints are in
the past
In the religious paradigm
people are taught
how to please God
with certain
deeds or obligations
In the religious paradigm
there are duties required
to attain "good standing"
In the religious paradigm
one often does not
experience God only
hears about God
In the religious paradigm
one often doesn't
know if he/she is
saved
In the religious paradigm
Bible doctrine plus
traditional teachings
form the core doctrines
Paradigm of Godly Wisdom, (Modeled by Jesus)
In
the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom there
are paradoxes to the
natural
instincts or wisdom
of man
the
least shall be greatest;
the first shall be
last;
many called but few
chosen;
we must die in order
to live;
we must hate the things
of this world;
we must be like a
child, God has hidden
wisdom from the wise;
the unseen things
are a greater reality
than the seen. etc.
In
the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom man
in his natural self
can do
nothing of value for
the kingdom of God
In the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom, the
spiritual man is totally
dependant upon the
guidance of the Spirit
In the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom we
are in a perpetual
spiritual
battle for survival
and dominance in life
In the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom there
is eternal life, promised
rewards and consequences
In the Jesus, Spirit-led
model Jesus preached
to those outside pertaining
to the Kingdom of
God and taught his
followers
In the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom only
those who are born
of the
Spirit and led of
the Spirit are the
Children of God
In the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom people
are discipled, disciples
are
matured and then charged
with ministry
In the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom ministry
is through the leading
of the Holy Spirit
In the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom true
worshipers worship
in
Spirit and in Truth
In the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom, wisdom
and insight is hidden
from the double minded
and the unredeemed
In the Jesus, Spirit-led
model of wisdom we
could memorize the
Bible and
not know truth- only
the Spirit reveals
it.
As many that have received the gift, minister
it to one another, as good stewards of the Grace of God
1Peter4:7
