Theme: THE CHURCH
Lesson: THE CHURCH – A MINISTRY OF MINISTRIES
Scripture Reference: Acts 1:17 KJV
If the word ministry is used to pertain to a government, it will mean a bureau, a department, an agency or office. Used with Orthodox Churches would refer to holy orders of their priesthood. With Jesus, it refers to teaching, preaching and evangelism.
The word also carries the connotation of administration even as a minister is seen as a member of a government. From the diction of ministry above, the Christian Church is a department or agency of the government (kingdom) of heaven. It is also a ministry comprising many other ministries since, in the Church, are many offices. There is the office of an Evangelist; the office of a Pastor; the office of a Teacher, etc. The ‘Church’ and ‘Ministry’ are used interchangeably in Scripture. When Peter proposed for the replacement of Judas Iscariot after the ascension of Jesus prior to the initiation of the Christian era through the coming of the Holy Spirit, the KJV uses the the word ‘ministry’ for ‘Church’ in our lead text. The Goodnews Bible renders it ‘work’. The ministry or work of ‘Bro. A’ may be different from the ministry of ‘Bro.B’ even as the ministry (work) of ‘Sis. B’ may be different from that of ‘Sis. C’ as will be determined by the grace (talent) endowment. (cf. Rom. 12:6-8)
What, friend, is your ministry in the ministry of Jesus Christ? Does your ministry meet needs as the Owner and head of the ministry would have met if He had lived in the body at the place you are living? I emphasize this because the ministry of Jesus is about meeting needs of His family members, and not keeping laws. It is not about superiority one to another. A friend reported to me the other day of how he has had a ministry of his own, and, I beg to disagree with him, because no one has not been given a ministry ab initio who has believed in Jesus Christ according to the Scripture.
Judas Iscariot had obtained a part of the ministry (work-phase) to work as a member of the body of Christ towards the growth and development of the body. (ibid) A friend also told me of how he is running a ministry and not a Church. I tried to find out what he meant and he said a ministry is different from Church because those involved do not gather for fellowship on Sunday morning. But where did he get that? In the first place, no one can own Church (people of God) or ministry – ministry hereinafter referring to Christians. God alone bought and own them by the blood of Jesus – Acts 20:28 – and has warned that no one should claim or enslave them or themselves accepting slavery of any form Spiritually any longer. (See 1Cor.7:23) God has a ministry for all of us who will go to Him through Christ which is working together for the salvation of mankind. That is His dream and He desires all Christians to partner with Him for that singular goal for their eternal reward.
As we are partners with God in this vision which He has turned into a mission for all of us to be stakeholders, we are expected to see all fellow believers as partners with each other also. God gave us dominion over all the creation, but never included fellow human beings. He never made us for any kind of abuse whatsoever by one another. Where He made all things for us, He never made us for anything except Himself. No wonder the warning of Jesus in ‘Matt. 23:9’ that we believers in Him address no one as ‘ father in the things of faith. Our earthly fathers who bore us have the to be addressed as father, papa, daddy or anything similar.
The one that gave birth to us by the word of truth is our Father in heaven. No one is qualified to drag that with Him. (See Jam. 1:18). There is no daddy, father, papa and mummy in the things of faith or of Church since Jesus has forbidden it.
None of Jesus’ disciples – Paul, Peter, James, John, etc. – are against this Jesus’ proposition in their various writings except when we are in error thinking that Paul’s relationship with his fellow servant Timothy meant otherwise. From Paul, who. by God’s will, is an apostle of Christ Jesus and from OUR BROTHER Timothy (Col. 1:1) and From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus and from OUR BROTHER Timothy (Philemon 1) On many occasions, Paul addressed Timothy as a BROTHER, and not as a SON. This suggest that, due to Timothy’s cooperation with Paul in the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ on earth, as a son would do to a beloved father, Paul reasonably addressed him as a son. (Read Phil. 2:22) Such is not weighty enough to repeal the earlier directive by the Master Jesus never for His followers on earth to address anyone, for any reason whatsoever, with the title reserved for the Father alone. I pray for grace of understanding for us.
Evaluation
1. How does the Bible use the words ‘Ministry’ and ‘Church’?
2. Used to refer to the gathering of Christians, can anyone own a mission?
3. To own a thing, it is either inherited or purchased or given. Where in Scripture can we see an example of men inheriting or purchasing or given Churches (Ministries) to own?
4. It is appropriate to post pictures (portraits) of Church leaders on billboards as owners of Christian gatherings (Churches). (True or False) Why?
5. It is only in the Old King James and American Standard Versions that the word Reverend is found in “Ps. 111:9” as One sending redemption to His people is God. Why are men bearing the same title?
6. Between titles and offices, which has the Scripture endorsed for Church workers?
7. Jesus warns that we call nobody as daddy or father in spiritual matters. (Matt. 23:9) What ‘daddy’ or ‘father’ is that?
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today as the Church, a ministry of ministries, united in our love for You. We thank You for the reminder that we are all part of Your grand vision, working together for the salvation of mankind.
Lord, help us to recognize that we are all partners in this mission, and that no one person or group owns or controls the Church. May we be mindful of the warnings in Scripture against claiming superiority or titles that belong only to You.
May we be humble servants, working together in harmony, and may our focus be on meeting the needs of others, just as Jesus did during His time on earth.
Benediction:
May the God of love and unity fill us with joy and peace, and may we be strengthened in our faith, as we await the return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
May the Lord bless us and keep us, may He make His face shine upon us, and may He give us peace. May we be humble servants, working together with others in the ministry of Jesus Christ, and may we be a shining testimony of His love to the world. Amen.
Answers to Evaluation Questions:
1. The Bible uses the words “Ministry” and “Church” interchangeably, referring to the gathering of Christians and the work of spreading the Gospel.
2. No, no one can own a mission or the Church, as it belongs to God and is purchased by the blood of Jesus.
3. There is no example in Scripture where men inherit, purchase, or are given Churches (Ministries) to own.
4. False. Posting pictures of Church leaders on billboards as owners of Christian gatherings (Churches) is not scriptural and may be seen as prideful.
5. The title “Reverend” is found in some Bible translations, but it is not a title that should be given to men, as it is a title reserved for God.
6. The Scripture endorses offices, not titles, for Church workers.
7. Jesus warns against calling anyone “father” or “daddy” in spiritual matters, referring to spiritual leaders or fathers in the faith, emphasizing that our true Father is in heaven.
