Daily Bread - October 3, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Thursday, 04 October 2018 07:36

Ephesians 4:12 - For the perfecting of the holy ones to work a ministry to the building up of the Body of Christ. The Work of Ministry The Greek word for ministry is 'diakonia,' and is first found in the New Testament in Luke 10:40 where it is translated as "serving"- "Martha was cumbered about much serving..." The next time that it is found is in Acts 1:17 where it is translated as "ministry"- "For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry." There are nine ministry gifts that are named in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, as follows: 1 - The word of wisdom 2 - The word of knowledge 3 - Faith 4 - The gifts of healing 5 - The working of miracles 6 - Prophecy 7 - Discerning of spirits 8 - Families (diversities) of languages 9 - Interpretation of languages The Holy Spirit gives an order as to how these ministries are added to the Church in 1 Corinthians 12:28-29, and in addition adds both helps and governments to the list: First - Apostles Second - Prophets Third - Teachers Fourth - Miracles Fifth - Gifts of healings Sixth - Helps Seventh - Governments Eighth-Families (diversities) of tongues We also know there are deacons (diakonos/ministers), elders, and special ministries such as waiting on tables, which may be grouped under helps and governments. The word for 'deacon' means both minister and servant, and it's first appearance in the New Testament is in the context of a servant (Matthew 20:26). Elders would fall under the classification of government, especially in light of the fact that they are those who have the oversight and rule of the Church (1 Peter 5:2; Hebrews 13:7). Additionally, the manifestations of these ministry gifts may be seen in the following ways: 1 - Casting out devils (Mark 16:17-18) 2 - Laying hands on the sick (Mark 16:17-18) 3 - Anointing the sick with oil (James 5:14) 4 - Power against the poison of serpents (Mark 16:17-18) 5 - Power against the poison of drink (Mark 16:17-18) 6 - Visions (Acts 2:17) 7 - Dreams (Acts 2:17) 8 - Singing in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:15) 9 - Praying in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:15) 10 - Everyone with a psalm (1 Corinthians 14:26) 11 - Everyone with a doctrine (1 Corinthians 14:26) 12 - Everyone with a language (1 Corinthians 14:26) 13 - Everyone with a revelation (1 Corinthians 14:26) 14 - Everyone with an interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:26) 15 - Praying and singing with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15) 16 - Singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16) 17 - Demonstration of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4) 18 - Signs (Romans 15:19) 19 - Wonders (Romans 15:19) 20 - Special miracles (Acts 19:11) 21 - Power (1 Thessalonians 1:5) 22 - Prayer and supplications (Ephesians 6:18) 23 - Exhorting (Romans 12:8) 24 - Giving (Romans 12:8) 25 - Ruling (Romans 12:8) 26 - Showing mercy (Romans 12:8) 27 - Righteousness in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) 28 - Peace in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) 29 - Joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) 30 - Divine love (Ephesians 3:19) 31 - Fruit of longsuffering (Galatians 5:22-23) 32 - Fruit of gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23) 33 - Fruit of goodness (Galatians 5:22-23) 34 - Fruit of meekness (Galatians 5:22-23) 35 - Fruit of temperance (Galatians 5:22-23) 36 - Godliness (2 Peter 1:6) 36 - Glory (2 Peter 1:3) 37 - Virtue (2 Peter 1:3) 38 - Brotherly kindness (2 Peter 1:7) 39 - Holiness (Hebrews 12:14) 40 - Oneness of Spirit (Ephesians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 6:17) 41 - Unity of faith (Ephesians 4:13) 42 - Raising the dead (Matthew 10:8) 43 - Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9) 44 - Prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10) 45 - Discerning of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10) 46 - Rejoicing (Philippians 4:4) 47 - Boldness (Ephesians 3:12) 48 - Irresistible words (Luke 21:15) 49 - Edification (1 Corinthians 14:3) 50 - Comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3) 51 - Thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18) 52 - Esteeming everyone better than themselves (Philippians 2:3) 53 - Greater works (John 14:12) Finally, Paul gave four ways to minister under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 14:6, by: 1 - Revelation 2 - Knowledge 3 - Prophecy 4 - Doctrine Thank you, Lord, for thoroughly equipping Your people for every good work! (2 Timothy 3:17)

 

Daily Bread - October 2, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Tuesday, 02 October 2018 11:26

Ephesians 4:12 - For the perfecting of the holy ones to work a ministry to the building up of the body of Christ. Perfecting The Lord has set His heart on perfecting us. This is the chief work of Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and the ministry gifts were established in the Church for this purpose. God is able to make us everything that He desires us to be if we are willing to cooperate with Him. God has purposed to perfect our abilities to function in His grace so that we might live and function as Jesus did. God is the One Who perfects and completes everything concerning us, and we must be willing to believe and accept His plan and promise (Psalms 138:8). The Greek word used in this verse, 'katartismos', is found only one time in the New Testament. This word may be translated as: "perfecting," "mending," "preparing " "equipping;" and it means: "to cause to be fully qualified," or "to make adequate or sufficient for something." The idea is to supply what is lacking so there may be a complete furnishing. 'Katartismos' is derived from the word 'kataritizo,' which means "to perfect," or "to render fit, sound or complete." The root word for 'kataritizo' is 'aritios,' which is the same word found in 2 Timothy 3:17; and may also be rendered "perfect." The word "perfect" is rendered from several Hebrew and Greek words in the Bible. The first time it appears in the Bible is in reference to Noah who was both 'tzadik' ("righteous") and 'tamim' ("perfect") (Genesis 6:9). The Lord also told Abraham to walk before Him and to be 'tamim.' However, it is exceedingly important we recognize that God empowered Abraham to be what He requested (Genesis 17:1). God called three men perfect in the Old Testament: Noah, Jacob and Job (Genesis 6:9, 25:27; Job 1:1, 8, 2:3). We should all be willing to recognize that God is able to do what He desires; and if He wants to give us the grace that would allow us to be fully developed into the ministry of Jesus, then it will be so -if we will believe. God, in His great mercy, has provided everything we need so we may be without blemish before Him. He has given a grace that we can stand before Him on that day unblameable and unreproveable in His sight (Colossians 1:22). He has given the ministry gifts to the Church so we may be perfected and fully equipped for the work of the ministry and the strengthening of the Body of Christ. The goal of this work of grace is to bring us into the fullness of the measure of the maturity of the ministry of Christ -and nothing could be more perfect (Ephesians 4:13). Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen! (Hebrews 13:20-21)

 

Daily Bread - October 1, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Tuesday, 02 October 2018 09:22

Ephesians 4:11 - And He gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the pastors, and teachers. The Gifts Won for the Church - Part 6: Teachers The teaching gift God placed in the Church is third in the list of 1 Corinthians 12:28. Jesus was first identified by Nicodemus as a teacher come from God because of the miracles He did (John 3:2). A teacher would have the ability to teach others how to do what God has commanded. The greatest example of this teaching gift today would be the Holy Spirit, Who has come to teach us all things (John 14:26, 16:12-15; 1 John 2:27). As a preacher, Paul referred to himself as both an apostle and a teacher (1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11). Some believe that pastor and teacher are to be combined as a single office. Though there may be only slight differences, the offices are surely distinct. Finally, there is a list of prophets and teachers given at Antioch found in Acts 13 (Acts 13:1-3). Thank you, Lord, for Your Church, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)

 

Daily Bread - September 29, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Tuesday, 02 October 2018 09:21

Ephesians 4:11 - And He gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the pastors, and teachers. The Gifts Won for the Church - Part 5: Pastors (Shepherds) "Shepherd" ('poimen') is the more exact word for pastor in both the Old and New Testaments. God is referred to as a Shepherd (Genesis 49:24; Psalm 23:1, 80:1). Although the title was never used for any king of Israel except David, the shepherd role is implied (2 Samuel 5:2; Psalms 78:71; Jeremiah 23:2; Ezekiel 34:23, 37:24). The pastoral ministry is also used more than anything else to describe the ministry of Jesus (Zechariah 13:7; John 10:11-18; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25, 5:4). The terminology of the pastoral ministry is also observed in the call of Peter (John 21:15-17). Pastors also function as overseers and elders of the Church (Acts 20:17, 28). They are part of the company who are called to feed the flock and rule in the House of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7, 17). Remember those who rule over you, who have proclaimed to you the Word of God. Follow their faith, considering the results it has produced in their lives! (Hebrews 13:7)

 

Daily Bread - September 28, 2018

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Tuesday, 02 October 2018 09:20

Ephesians 4:11 - And He gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the pastors, and teachers. The Gifts Won for the Church - Part 4: Evangelists The evangelist is the herald of the good news. There can be no one who can compare to Jesus in the proclamation of God's salvation. The heralds ('evangel') proclaim God's faithfulness and salvation -they publish His deeds to the people (Psalm 9:11, 40:10, 68:11). The heralds of God go forth proclaiming good tidings, announcing peace, and publishing salvation (Isaiah 52:7). God has put His words in their hearts and mouths so that, as His heralds, they might proclaim His salvation from day to day (Psalm 96:2). Even the man who lay at the gate called Beautiful may be counted as an evangel, as he went walking, leaping, and praising God (Acts 3:8). Philip is the one clear example of a person holding the office of an evangelist in the New Testament (Acts 6:3-6, 8:5, 21:8). Paul, however, admonished Timothy to also do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5). Every person is called to be a herald of the Gospel, and in this sense to function in the gifting of an evangel (Mark 16:15). Beautiful are the feet of those who bring tidings of the Good News! (Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15)