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Principles of MinistryAs we conclude our studies of 1 Corinthians this week, I want to consider some highlights from this final chapter. Whenever I write a letter, I always try to finish it strong I want to convey and summarize the thoughts I've put in the letter. I want to let them know my feelings and emotions toward them Well, that is what the Apostle Paul does with the closing of this excellent epistle of 1 Corinthians. He summarizes his thoughts, he gives them some important things he wants to leave with them. As we consider some highlights from this chapter we are going to look at five principles of ministry and faith.
About giving to God, Paul tells us what he tells all the churches that on the day we gather --the first day of the week, Sunday. Each individual should give an amount of money in proportion to his or her income. The principles of tithing are simple. The tithe was established before the law, when Abraham gave a tithe or a tenth of his wealth to Melchizedek. But the new testament in grace, takes us beyond that, that giving to God is not only a means to support the local church, but it is what reveals - our priorities toward God. Paul would give more details in his next letter to the Corinthians. 2 Cor 9:6-7 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Three things about giving. 1st. Give generously. Paul says you will receive back - in proportion to how you give. Not necessarily how much you give but how you give. Recall with me the time when Jesus was watching people give and how much they put into the box. Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on." This poor widow gave with the right heart, less in monetary value then others but in God's economy she gave more. If you give out of a right heart, you will see a return from God based on how you give. Now that does not always equate to money, but God will see your hear. That principle of sowing and reaping not only apply to money, it applies to whatever you give, if it is time, compassion, or mercy, or forgiveness. You will receive a reward in the manner you give. Mother Teresa - “If you give what you do not need, it isn’t giving.” Secondly. Decided what your going to give in your heart. Don't be under law or bondage. Give generously, not under compulsion, or gilt trips, and not reluctantly. Let your giving be with understanding of the scriptures, and with the guiding of the Holy Spirit. In our text Paul said give in proportion to your income. Peter Marshall - “Give according to your income, lest God make your income according to your giving.” Third. Give cheerfully. The word is hilariously. Just understanding that you can not out give God, and that God rewards those who give with a right heart. And then understanding what Jesus taught us. That we can not take our wealth with us, but we can send it on up ahead as we invest in the kingdom of God on earth. Matt 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth , where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Invest in heaven, for like that poor widow, what you give will be seen by God. But not every Christian knows that. In his book “Getting the Church on Target” Lloyd Perry says: The average church member contributes between 1.5% and 2.5% of his total income specifically to the Lord’s work. Here in the fellowship, we do not take an offering. We want to take a low key approach to money and giving because we have seen the abuses of churches that over spend, and are always begging for money. And we have never been let down by God. God has always supplied our needs, though the giving of our members. We try to not spend frivolously, we watch our budgets carefully. We know were every dollar goes and always desire to be good stewards of what God has entrusted us with. We as a church set a goal to give away at least 10% of what God has given us, we give it to missions, benevolence, and love offerings. We keep good records and have invested in a new accounting system-- which by the way we could use some technical help getting it in place. But be that as it may the first of these five principles that Paul leaves this church with is about proper stewardship of our personal finances.
Paul wanted to see the Corinthians again. He had invested more time with this church then any other group, he was there about a year and a half. But there were things happening in Ephesus, and Paul recognized that there was an “open door” for ministry there and he was committed to stay and be part of what God wanted to do. In the years I have been in ministry, we have seen how doors open, and sometimes they close. But notice an open door - does not mean things are easy, Paul had found there was opposition in Ephesus. But an open door is the work of the Holy Spirit. Friday we went to the county jail for bible study. I have found an open door for ministry there in the jail. Other things that we have been involved in China Springs, ROP, Merrel Gardens, the doors were open - then seem to close. So like Paul, I believe we work with God in what he is doing. Find out what God has for you, in your ministry for him, where is the door open? And as Henry Blackabee says, “Join with what God is doing.” Where would God have you serve? Its never about what we want to do, but about the leading of God. Acts 8:4-8 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city. There was a real revival in Samaria, God was working, miracles were happening, people were giving their lives to the Lord. But then right in the middle of all that and angel of the Lord appears to Philip and tells him. Acts 8:26 ... "Go south to the road — the desert road — that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. Philip says. “No way, God is moving right here, I'm staying here because things are happening.” No – he goes, a door had opened elsewhere and God wanted him to move on. Not that things went bad in Samaria, but Philip's time there was over. So if you know that story he meets an important man from Ethiopia who just happens to be reading Isaiah and that man gives his life to Jesus is baptized and then Philip is translated by the Spirit to new ministries in new areas. The Second principle we see in Paul's closing of this letter is. Go through the open doors of ministry.
Competition about God's work is not acceptable. When the Apostles told Jesus there were some other guys casting out demons in Jesus name, and they rebuked them because they were not part of their Group – Jesus said. Mark 9:39-40 "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. The church of Jesus Christ is very diverse. There are fellowships that are very formal, others that have an extremely casual approach to worship. Some in between. There are church groups that focus on more emotional style of ministry, others more intellectual. Some pastor's wear robes – others wear sandals, most of those exteriors and mean nothing. Those who preach Jesus Christ and him crucified, the plan of God the only way to God are not against us. And we do not fear them, rather we support them. God has blessed me with a wonderful relationship with many different pastor's in our community. Most of us are very diverse in our styles of ministry and some understandings of scripture, but we all share the common bond of Jesus. There are other guys here in town that I can not have any fellowship with, because they really do not believe the word of God. When we go to Nicaragua, we often work with a local Presbyterian church there in the town of Estlei. A couple of years ago the Presbyterian organization of Nicaragua went under the authority of the Mexican Presbyterian church, because they believe the scriptures and had removed themselves from the American Presbyterians because so many no longer believe the scriptures. Paul's principle simply support others. Here in the church if you are involved in ministry we will support you and are excited what God is leading you into. Support others wherever you serve in ministry in the fellowship. Help one another do the best job for the Lord that we can.
Gal 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Walk in and by the Holy Spirit, he will lead you in ways of God. Here Paul says - watch out, be on your guard. The Holy Spirit is called the guide. Jesus said “he will guide you into all truth.” When things seem wrong, when there is a check about something it could be the Holy Spirit speaking to you, so be on your guard. Walk in live by the Spirit. Then Paul says, “Stand firm in the faith.” Be not moved in your faith. Like we saw last week, our action in response to the resurrection is non-action. Don't be moved - Stand still. Like when Job was going through the middle of all of his hard times these words of encouragement came to him. Job 37:14 "Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. Stand still, slow down and see the wonders of God. “Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done.” To walk in the Spirit is to be on our Guard, standing firm, and having courage. Courage in the Lord. When this same Paul was in house arrest he spoke about his own courage. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Have courage Christian, because great is our Lord and he will not abandon us, when we walk in the Spirit we have courage knowing that nothing in all of creation can separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. We have seen some principles of ministry: Giving, Open doors, Support others, Walk in the Spirit and finally.
V14 tells us “Do everything in love.” Love is the command of our Lord, love is the motivation of the Spirit, love is the evidence of discipleship- and evidence of the Spirit filled life. 1 John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Paul’s closing remarks indicate the love he had for all the churches he had worked with. We see the unity among the believers, “all the churches in Asia send you their greetings.” We see Aquila and Priscilla, what once again working with Paul. They were a couple with great character and dedication. They were with Paul in Corinth he stayed in their home, and they worked together making tents, and ministering to others. They led Apollos to faith in Christ. They went with Paul on several of his journeys where they strengthened the disciples. Now we see they are leading a church that meets in their home. Love between the body of Christ, its a God thing. Greet on another with a holy kiss, evidence of what God has done, let God guide your love. Finally Paul conclude his epistle by heralding the cry of that day and it should be the cry of the day we live in. He ends his letter with a warning and a praise. Ad curse for those who do not love the Lord, and a cry of triumph for those who do. When Paul wrote this letter Greek was the best known language so that is what he wrote this letter in, but there in V22 he inserts two Aramaic words to make his point clear. In the KJV they have chosen to leave the words intact. 1 Cor 16:22 KJV If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha. If anyone does not love the Lord, Anathema. It means a cures, times ten. John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." There is a wrath of God that remains on all who reject the love that was displayed on Calvary’s cross. Paul uses the strongest word he knows “Anathema.” But then to encourage those who have been faithful to the Lord he calls out the Christian greeting of that day, Maranatha! “O Lord, come.” What a great way to close this letter a reminder that Jesus will return for his church and a call that we are ready. Are you anticipating the Lord’s return? Do you look forward to the day we will be with him? So Paul's final two thoughts are the cornerstone of who Jesus is, 1 Cor 16:23-24 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen. Grace and love. Its what Paul began this letter with, the Grace of our Lord be with you. Grace, is unearned unmerited favor with God. GRACE God's Riches At Christ's Expense. The challenge for the Church in Corinth was to overcome the cultures and pressures of their day. The challenge of the church today is to do the same to go back to our first love, to be so in love with Jesus that the world has no attraction. Oh we may have many things we want to see, with our children or grand children but we should look so forward to that day that we too cry out Maranatha! Even so come Lord Jesus. INVITE/ PRAY/ BENEDICTION/ SING Series: 1
Corinthians -Through the Bible |
(C) High Sierra Fellowship 2008 |
