For the Work of Ministry, 4
Ecclesiastes 7:8: "Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."
When I began this, I didn't think it would become a mini-series. I began by thinking about the following passage and what it would look like to be a saint equipped for the work of ministry--to think about the shepherds and teachers not doing the work with me sitting in the audience but being equipped by them to do the work under them and by the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10).
Ephesians 4:11-14: "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."
From the initial post, I segued to the matter of older women teaching younger women, seeing that as an aspect of the work of ministry of the laity. From there, I landed on the trait of self-control as one important to all: overseers, older and younger men, older and younger women.
As I wrap up this series, reflect with me on this: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:4-10).
It is all of God and through God and for God, from "But God" as verse 4 begins to "good works, which God prepared beforehand" in verse 10.
Are you anxious about whatever work of ministry you are or may become involved with? Let me direct you to this: "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:5b-7).
Note the sequence: [Because] the Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything ... let your requests be made known to God. And [after that] the peace of God ....
Ecclesiastes 7:8: "Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."
When I began this, I didn't think it would become a mini-series. I began by thinking about the following passage and what it would look like to be a saint equipped for the work of ministry--to think about the shepherds and teachers not doing the work with me sitting in the audience but being equipped by them to do the work under them and by the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10).
Ephesians 4:11-14: "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."
From the initial post, I segued to the matter of older women teaching younger women, seeing that as an aspect of the work of ministry of the laity. From there, I landed on the trait of self-control as one important to all: overseers, older and younger men, older and younger women.
As I wrap up this series, reflect with me on this: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:4-10).
It is all of God and through God and for God, from "But God" as verse 4 begins to "good works, which God prepared beforehand" in verse 10.
Are you anxious about whatever work of ministry you are or may become involved with? Let me direct you to this: "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:5b-7).
Note the sequence: [Because] the Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything ... let your requests be made known to God. And [after that] the peace of God ....
posted by Ebeth | 2:01 PM
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