II-
The ministry is God's business that runs through His own standards &
guidelines
Everyone
who takes interest in the ministry must realize that it is first and foremost
about God and His sovereign purpose. This kind of ministry will not take in
place just by itself. It must have certain guidelines just like any futile
business under the sun had. And those guidelines surely emanate from Himself by
revelation through His word. Those guidelines are clear when taken as is.
Some
truths, especially those by the experiences of God's workman, may come into
view along his journey in the ministry. And each must be subjected to the
measure of God's word. It must be noted that not all truths are God's truth nor
every way that works for the ministry God's ways. The idea of
use-whatever-tool-as-long-as-it-catches-the-same-mouse-it-doesn't-matter or
otherwise known as "pragmatism" fails to the standards of God's word.
And if a man also
strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 2Ti
2:5
Except the LORD build the house, they labour
in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but
in vain. Psa 127:1
Every minister must watch his ministry intently
because...
A- It is the Lord's ( Act_20:24)
It
is indisputable that the business of ministry is the Lord's. From cover to
cover of the Holy Scriptures, the matters that pertain to God are for Himself
and for His own glory. The rest are temporary characters who after their
respective lifetimes vanished in the scenes of other episodes in the drama of
the ages involving God's will. It is the Lord and His affairs that remain.
Because it is about Him, His word, His will, His ways and standards and
objectives-for His own glory.
B- According to His own purpose
God's
ministry has certain rational objectives that conform to His character and
ways.
1- The reason of ministration (Eph_4:12;
Col_1:28-29)
When it comes to the domestic part of
ministry that exclusively deals with the believers, it is for the
a- Perfecting of the saints... (Eph_4:12 a;
Col_1:28)
"For
the perfecting of the saints,.."It is only fitting to expect their
ministers to exemplify the virtues of a saint who progresses towards
perfection. Hence, it is a great irony for certain ministers who fell from the
tract of perfection progress to remain in the office. For he must face the fact
that the future of his ministration is to bring each member of the congregation
towards perfection, the conformity of every believer to the image of Christ.
"Whom
we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may
present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:"
This
is crucial since perfection, or a state of Christ-likeness of a believer is a
requirement for their involvement in the ministry. It is not surprising to see
believers not involved in the work for they had not been perfected (progressing
towards while attaining Christ-likeness). How can they be subjected to
perfection process especially by the leadership of a pastor whose credibility
had been ruined at once?
b- ...For the work of the ministry...(Eph_4:12
b)
"...for
the work of the ministry,.." and this includes the priestly ministry
of leading the lost to Christ and worship of the Holy God.
A
ministry is not exclusive for pastors and workers. It is for every believer to
get involved. Many are not involved because a prerequisite had been missing.
The missing dimension of conformity to Christ of a believer plus the examples
of certain ministers who fell from God's purpose and standards can only
compound the problems in the ministry.
Some
ministries may seem to look commendable because of its size. Though number is
not nothing, but neither it is everything to judge whether a ministry is
approved or disapproved by God. Cults' congregations, especially in this
country, oftentimes are greater in number compared to born-again assemblies.
Likewise, compromisers as ecumenists Christian movements like Billy Graham's
received much support and always been in greater number than the conservative
conferences and crusades. Even among the circle of conservatives, many immoral
ministers or those who fall short from God's guidelines had bigger size of
congregations.
We
have heard of certain unsaved pastors who handled congregation/s before they
got saved. And yet many were converted under their ministries.
Souls
are getting saved. They keep on coming and coming and it keeps congregations
swelling. We call it success. Many times it seemed to be the ends of the
ministry for all the resources spent.
A
gospel will always be a gospel regardless of who preached it. It is always been
powerful once preached clearly as the scripture. Be it a paper and ink, an
audio recording, a video, a false prophet who happened to utter its fragments.
A gospel preached produces results; much more when reinforced with
well-organized system and charismatic/dynamic personalities, including the
immoral and fallen ones.
c- ...To build up the body of Christ (Eph_4:12
c)
"...for
the edifying of the body of Christ:"
We
see that ministry is not confined in the swelling number of the assembly.
Someone
has said that a church of big congregation with no program or ministry for
discipleship is only maintaining a spiritual nursery. Yes, many had been
through discipleship trainings. But many of the curriculums were for their
replication. Spiritual reproduction is not bad for it is an aspect of
discipleship. But it is not everything there is in making disciples. There has
to be an up-building part as word "edification" connote in the
original.
Spiritual
nursery is good for every believer.
As newborn babes,
desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 1Pe 2:2
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat:
for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 1Co 3:2
But we do not want believers
to remain therein in the remaining years of their respective lifetimes in the
service.
For when for the
time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be
the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of
milk, and not of strong meat.
For every one that
useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Heb
5:12-13
When
examined closely, Peter and the author of Hebrews are interested of the
collective edification of believers. This idea is confirmed by Paul telling us
that the end goal of this is unity in the faith and intimacy and conformity to
the image of Christ.
Till we all come in
the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect
man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Eph 4:13
Edification
is a process that is supposedly taking place already in the churches. And this
progressing development should not be disrupted by a byword of a fallen man who
was once expected to nurse babes fell into their own same vices. Where is the
example of his having grown up in grace and knowledge?
But grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both
now and for ever. Amen. 2Pe 3:18
But by the grace of
God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain;
but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God
which was with me. 1Co 15:10
A
fallen minister who stays in the ministry, regardless of his deep repentance
and the church acknowledgment thereof by his reinstatement, gives an impression
of the lightness of sin that disqualifies a disciple to the ministry since they
can be forgiven anyway. A perfect example to this is the scandalous First
Baptist Church of Indiana, USA and its affiliated Hyles-Anderson College. Jack
Hyles, his son David and son-in-law Jack Schaap have all fallen to the same
ditch of sexual immorality. It's not surprising if their followers would come
out with one shape, they got the same mould.
Had
they been through the perfecting process? Are they involved in the ministry?
Surely they did in spiritual replication. What about up-building? Their
leadership might have been united in condoning immorality. But it does not
square with God's purpose:
Till
we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
It
is perplexing to see ministers who fell into sin and when reinstated preach
against sin and falls again and preach against it. The cycle keeps on repeating
itself. This is foolishness. It's like seeing a mighty warrior who still
suckles on his mother's breasts! Where is the evidence of grown-up Christianity
here?
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of
full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil. Heb 5:14
d- Fulfillment of God's word and its declaration
Ministry
is about completion of God's word as well. The Lord fulfills some of His words
by Himself. But some, He left to His ministers and children to execute.
"Whereof I am made a minister,
according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil
the word of God;
Even the mystery which
hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to
his saints:" Col 1:25-26
Partial
Obedience Issue
It
is necessary for "fulfillers" of God's word to be doing exactly what
the Master says. God is not interested in partial obedience as Saul did. The
king's intention was very noble. In fact, HE INTENDS TO DO SERVICE FOR THE
MINISTRY in the tabernacle. There's nothing wrong with making provisions for
OFFERINGS IN THE ALTAR. This is scriptural and in exact conformity with the Levite's
supply requirements of animal sacrifices. But what did the Lord say to Saul
through Samuel?
Because thou hast
rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1Sa 15:23
And Samuel said
unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the
LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. 1Sa 15:26
And the LORD said
unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from
reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to
Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 1Sa 16:1
For
the Lord, partial obedience equals disobedience. He even calls it rebellion
that makes an equivalent great deal of sins.
1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great
delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the
word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
That
is for the issue of partial obedience. What about exact disobedience that is in
direct opposition to God's word? No further argumentation is necessary to
explain the gravity of such sin.
Every
believer who understood this purpose of God in the ministry would tiptoe in his
walk whenever God's order is at stake or when there is an obvious danger of the
presence of sin. For there is no mighty Christian that is capable of doing
exactly what God orders other than God Himself. That is why grace is
indispensable in a disciple's walk. The first ones to exemplify this are the
church leaders.
2- He
makes ministers out of it (Eph_3:7-8; Col_1:25; 1Ti_2:7; 2Ti_1:11)
by
His own grace.
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to
the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his
power.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all
saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ;
Ministers were called and made for
the ministry by its Author. The object of the ministry is the Lord and not the
minister. This makes the Designer of the ministry as the ends and ministry as
the means not vice versa. Ministers are not even the means nor the agents. For
the agent is the Holy Spirit and the means is grace brought by this Person.
Ministers are mere instruments just as stones are.
Mat 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We
have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these
stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
C- It has certain mandated guidelines to qualify
a minister
Whether
it is for special battle as in the case of Gideon or ministerial service in the
New Testament, God meant something when He pronounces certain guidelines. Each
word will not go back to Him empty and void.
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of
my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which
I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
1- Any field of discipline has certain guidelines
in order to receive due compensation.
2Ti 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet
is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
The word "lawfully" obviously pertains
to the rules or guidelines. Surely, the Holy Scriptures reveals them.
2- The following characteristics demanded from
ministers or any one officially executing God's orders elicits guidelines for
them to follow:
a- Holy
Lev 21:6 They shall be holy unto their God, and not
profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and
the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.
b- Not negligent
2Ch 29:11 My sons, be not now negligent: for
the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should
minister unto him, and burn incense.
c- Give importance to the ministry
Num 16:9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel
hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to
himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before
the congregation to minister unto them?
Num 16:10 And he hath brought
thee near to him, and all thy
brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
d- Separated/consecrated
Isa 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence,
touch no unclean thing; go ye
out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
e- Driven by the word
Jer 20:9 Then I said, I will not make
mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my
bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
f- Truthful lips
Mal 2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and
iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and
did turn many away from iniquity.
g- Not a hireling
Joh 10:12 But he that is an hireling,
and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the
sheep.
Joh 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because
he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
h- Spirit-filled at least (for deacons, much more
to the pastors)
Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you
seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business.
Act 6:4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of
the word.
i- Walk-his-talk
Rom 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest
another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal,
dost thou steal?
Rom
2:22
Thou that sayest a man should not commit
adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou
commit sacrilege?
j- Personal Physical Discipline
1Co 9:27 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.
Gal 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I
bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
k-Living by grace
1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am
what I am: and his grace which was
bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than
they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
l- Qualification, maintenance sought
2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the
ministry be not blamed:
2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the
ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in
distresses,
m-Example
Php 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and
mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you,
who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the
end of their conversation.
n- Word-filled (2Ti_1:13-14),
2Ti 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou
hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 1:14 That good thing which was
committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
approved
handling thereof
2Ti 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no
profit, but to the subverting
of the hearers.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth.
o- Engages by the rules
2Ti 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet
is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
At least, the foregoing list provides the guiding
principles already. Each one is self-explanatory that no further explanation is
necessary to make them understandable.
D- God appoints and disqualifies
"ministers" in certain areas of ministration.
1- In the field of keeping/executing God's word
a- Adam for the human race
Adam was tasked to dominate all creatures on
earth. He failed with the commanded not eating of the fruit of a tree. For he
followed the words of God's enemy. The outcome was disqualification to live in
paradise and expulsion therefrom.
b-
Saul for God's earthly people- Israel
Saul was God's ruler in Israel. Though his motive
of disobeying God is noble, his partial obedience caused his disqualification
from being king.
2- In the field of observing/keeping God's
Covenant
Esau was decreed to be the carrier of God's
covenant to Abraham through his birthright. But he did not give importance to
it.
Gen 25:32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to
die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
He undermined God's promises to Abraham and did
not trust them
Heb 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one
morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Heb 12:17 For ye know how that afterward,
when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no
place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
3- In the field of caring God's heritage-Christ's
body: the Church
The
epistles to Timothy, Titus and Peter provide unequivocal statements to set the
guidelines for those entering and are already in the ministry, including
deacons and other church officers. Those truths are common knowledge to them
who had been through formal Bible training.
The
key to the guidelines for ministers set forth in those books is found in I
Timothy 3:1-7. It is not clear to this writer whether those requirements are
already present in the character of the subject person or progressive. But one thing is clear, the word
"blameless".
Thayer
rendered this Greek word ἀνεπίληπτος,
anepilēptos as
1) not apprehended, that cannot be laid
hold of
2)that
cannot be reprehended, not open to censure, irreproachable
The secular dictionary rendered it as
1)
Not reprehensible; not to be blamed or censured; free from fault.
2)
Not reprehensible; blameless; innocent.
But who among the sons of men who are not
blameless?
I have several propositions for this:
1) The issue is not who are/is not blameless.
The
statements of requirements seem to propose that those virtues are already in
the aspirant to the pastoral ministry. And all sons of men, by their own selves
fall short on them.
2)
The issue is, "Who made them blameless."
Blamelessness
as proposed in this passage is not in the realm of the aspirant to accomplish.
It belongs to the realm of the Supernatural. It takes dependence to be
blameless the same way one took dependence to be saved.
1Co 15:10a But by the grace of God I am what I am: and
his grace which was bestowed
upon me was not in vain;
3)
Blamelessness is a joint-effort of God and aspirant.
God
is Sovereign who decreed the aspirant's calling and preservation. The aspirant
is accountable and responsible to his calling.
1Co 15:10b "but I laboured more abundantly than
they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
1Co 9:27 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.
4)
Blamelessness is a ground for permanent disqualification.
The
Bible unequivocally reveals that fornication's reproach can no longer be taken
away.
Pro 6:32 But
whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own
soul.
Pro 6:33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his
reproach shall not be wiped away.
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