Category: God’s workmanship

Edifying #7

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

What does “edifying” mean here?

According to Romans 16:25-26, God uses a three-fold method to “stablish” us the Church the Body of Christ. Without Paul’s Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), without his epistles (Romans through Philemon), and without the Bible in light of that Pauline revelation, we will not be spiritually stabilized.

Paul ordered Timothy in 1 Timothy chapter 1: “[3] As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, [4] Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” Those teaching “other doctrine” are legalists, law advocates (verses 5-11). They do not embrace God’s grace, fully and freely, but rather mix law and grace, which thereby abolishes grace. They are not “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Grace is all that God does for us through Christ’s finished crosswork. However, law is our performance to please God. These systems cannot mix; otherwise, confusion and frustration will result. So many professing believers have failed to keep pure grace as their operating system. Consequently, their spiritual lives have been greatly weakened or totally destroyed (cf. 2 Peter 3:15,16). Since they lack a proper view of the Scriptures, they cannot understand those words of God. Non-dispensational Bible study has rendered them impotent. They need to be edified, built up!

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6,7). “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:20-22). They need to be taught the Scriptures according to Pauline edification! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Does the Bible contain a contradiction about Solomon’s molten sea?”

Edifying #6

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

What does “edifying” mean here?

The Holy Spirit said through the Apostle Paul: “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). “Godly edifying” (1 Timothy 1:4) is brought about by “the word of [God’s] grace”—the principles of grace the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ revealed directly to Paul.

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward” (Ephesians 3:1,2). “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). If the information is not God’s Word rightly divided—the grace message, Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon—then it is contrary to God’s will for us Gentiles. Such faulty teaching will not lead to “edifying” (spiritual building up) but rather extensive spiritual weakening and/or utter destruction.

When we ponder the rank Biblical illiteracy—absolute confusion—in the worldwide “Christian” community, it is obvious that precious few use the Bible dispensationally. Most preachers have failed miserably (!!) in “the work of the ministry.” Most churches and seminaries have not (!!) produced “perfected saints.” The Pauline design for the edification of the believer has not (!!) been followed; therefore, we see very few strong, skilled Christians.

Romans chapter 16: “[25] Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:….” Paul’s Gospel is important, Paul’s epistles are significant, and all other Scripture in light of Pauline revelation is critical.

We summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Edifying #5

Monday, July 9, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

What does “edifying” mean here?

First Corinthians chapter 3: “[9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. [10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. [11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; [13] Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. [14] If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

The recurring issue is building an edifice or structure. God the Holy Spirit attaches a warning—“take heed” or beware (verse 10)—as to how we as individuals build doctrine in ourselves. If His curriculum is not followed, there will be a faulty house of doctrine in our souls, and thus a loss of reward at the (future) Judgment Seat of Christ. Rather than gold, silver, and precious stones; we have used wood, hay, and stubble (junk information!). Second Corinthians 5:9,10: “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Acts 20:32 tells us: “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up [edify], and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Grace edification, “godly edifying,” is of tantamount importance….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is 1 Corinthians 12:3 talking about?”

Edifying #4

Sunday, July 8, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

What does “edifying” mean here?

Dear friend, it probably amazes you to meet people who have allegedly read the Bible for many years and who still have little to no understanding of it. They may even claim to be Christians but somehow—strangely enough—they do not think and behave very Christian-like. What happened to them to make them thus? How could they be so close to the truth and yet, at the same time, end up so misled and confused? Could we, in some way, help them get on the right path? Is there any way we can avoid this deception ourselves?

Let us think of an illustration of you intending to build a house. You do not care what materials you use; you just want a structure. Therefore, you collect bits of plastic, some grass, wooden beams, a truckload of gravel, scraps of metal, and other assorted goods, and randomly orient and attach them. It does not matter what you are doing, or to what end you are working, so long as you are busy “building” a “house.” Work, work, work!

You are screaming, “Brother Shawn, this is all so absurd! How silly it is to be so careless in selecting supplies and how stupid it is to assemble all that junk together!” Oh, dear friend, how glad I am to have gotten your attention! Indeed, it is madness! In reality, whether they know it or not, this is how frivolous most professing Christians are concerning their spiritual health. How cautious they are to not eat garbage lying on the streets, but how irresponsible they are in what they feed their souls! To them, one religious system is “as good as any other,” one teaching is as “Christian” as the other. Indeed, their physical health seems to them to be far more important than their spiritual health. It does not bother them to expose themselves to various and sundry spiritual trash.

They need “godly edifying!” God’s design, not man’s, must be followed if they are to grow strong….

Saints, please remember us in your monthly giving—these websites do cost money to run! 🙂 You can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux, or email me at arcministries@gmail.com. Do not forget about Bible Q&A booklets for sale at https://arcgraceministries.org/in-print/booklets-bible-q-a/. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! 🙂

Edifying #3

Saturday, July 7, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

What does “edifying” mean here?

In today’s Scripture, the Greek word for “edifying” is oikodome (oikos meaning “house, temple;” doma is “to build, as in an edifice”). Notice “edification” is the process of constructing, or encouraging growth. For instance, Matthew 24:1 and Mark 13:1-2 highlight the “buildings” of the Temple complex. Here are literal, material structures in which the LORD God was to dwell. The physical Temple that King Solomon “built” is referenced in Acts 7:47.

The Bible also speaks of metaphorical construction (invisible edifices). For example, 1 Corinthians 3:9: “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” Ephesians 2:21-22 says: “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (There is a related word, oikodomeo, rendered various ways in our King James Bible—“build,” “edify,” “builder,” “build up,” “be in building,” “embolden.” However, time and space do not allow us to delve into this any further. Just notice the connections.)

God aims to have the Church the Body of Christ “edified,” or built up (today’s Scripture). “Perfected” (or spiritually mature) saints do “the work of the ministry,” and that will result in “the edifying of the Body of Christ.” Verse 16 continues: “From whom [Christ] the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” The Body of Christ edifies itself. Its members build in each other an unseen structure that God Himself desires, the Body of Christ thus becoming the expression of His life. Refer back to Ephesians 2:21-22 (above) if necessary.

First Timothy 1:4 instructs church leaders: “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” Let us see what “godly edifying” entails….

The Work of the Ministry #7

Sunday, July 1, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

Ministry—what “work” it is!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [purpose or intent] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). God the Holy Spirit gave us His inspired, preserved Word (in English, the King James Bible) so we would believe it. Once we trust it (1 Thessalonians 2:13), it produces in and through us “all good works.” The greatest Christian good work is “the work of the ministry,” but spiritual development comes first. After all, today’s Scripture says only “perfected saints”—spiritually mature Christians—do “the work of the ministry.”

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:12,13). These church leaders do “the work of the ministry” (cf. today’s Scripture; 1 Timothy 5:17,18), and they need to be especially appreciated.

Ministry is not to be taken lightly or flippantly. It is not “fun and games:” it is “work!” Eternal souls are at stake and they need to hear from us a clear Gospel message they can believe (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)! Otherwise, they will face an angry God and wind up experiencing His eternal fury. Eternal souls are at stake and they need to hear from us a study they can understand (2 Timothy 2:15)! Otherwise, they will experience tremendous loss of reward for their lack of Christian understanding and service.

Dear brethren, how exhausting ministry can be and is, but there is no greater way to spend our time and resources! It seems like we are wasting our time, but God forbid! “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58)! 🙂

Bible Q&A #510: “Can you explain John 1:17?”

The Work of the Ministry #6

Saturday, June 30, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

Ministry—what “work” it is!

Only one Man in ministry never had any trouble in dealing with the flesh. The God-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, faithfully and tirelessly served Father God without fail. He said, “My meat [food] is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). The Lord Jesus knew His purpose. Unlike so many Christians today, He did not aimlessly wander and wonder what Father God would have Him do in His life and ministry. He took the Old Testament Scriptures, found God’s words to and about His earthly ministry, and worked in accordance with them (Luke 4:16-21 cf. Isaiah 61:1-2; Matthew 8:16-17 cf. Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 12:15-21 cf. Isaiah 42:1-4; Mark 12:10-11 cf. Psalm 118:22-23; et al.).

“But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17). “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me” (verse 36). “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).

The night before His crucifixion, Christ prayed to the Holy Father: “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me” (John 17:4,6,8). What work did Father God give His Son Jesus Christ? Heavenly Father wanted His Son to give (teach) His Word to His people. Jesus Christ did exactly that, “the work of the ministry!”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is ‘shamefacedness?’”

The Work of the Ministry #5

Friday, June 29, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

Ministry—what “work” it is!

What is the difference between doing good works to become a Christian and doing good works because one is a Christian? The flesh works to (try to) become a Christian whereas God works in the Christian. “The love of Christ constraineth [compels, motivates] us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Grace motivation, love motivation, underlies Christian good works.

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12,13). “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20). Paul spoke of “the gift of the grace of God given unto [him] by the effectual working of his power” (Ephesians 3:7). “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

“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” (1 Corinthians 15:10). See Colossians 1:29, which we read earlier: “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”

First Thessalonians 2:13 says, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” When we believe God’s Word to us, God the Holy Spirit will take that Word and work in our hearts and lives to produce His desired results….

The Work of the Ministry #4

Thursday, June 28, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

Ministry—what “work” it is!

In Acts 15:38, Paul and Barnabas starkly disagreed whether or not to take John Mark with them in ministry, for Paul argued John “went not with them to the work.” The Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples of God’s ministry to convert lost Jewish souls from Satan’s captivity: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37,38; cf. Luke 10:2,7).

Mary “bestowed much labour” on Paul and his ministry associates (Romans 16:6). Tryphena and Tryphosa “labour in the Lord” and Persis “laboured much in the Lord” (verse 12). Paul spoke of those in 1 Corinthians 16:16 “that helpeth with us, and laboureth.” On three occasions, Paul expressed concern whether or not he had “laboured in vain” in teaching Christians who might easily abandon those truths (Galatians 4:11; Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:5). First Corinthians 3:9 says, “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” And, 2 Corinthians 5:9: “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”

Paul spoke of Epaphroditus as his “companion in labour” (Philippians 2:25). Chapter 4, verse 3, tells of “those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” First Timothy 5:17-18: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

Colossians 1:29 tells us, “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” The key to doing the work of the ministry without growing weary is to let God the Holy Spirit work in and through us as we believe His Word to us….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Does Mark 16:18 teach that chemotherapy will not harm us?”

The Work of the Ministry #3

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

Ministry—what “work” it is!

Long ago, a certain congregation was seeking a new pastor. A deacon asked a prospective preacher if he would let the Holy Spirit guide him in leading them, the irritated preacher replied, “I am here to retire!” He was not interested in “working” at their local church; rather, he wanted leisurely living. According to the Bible, this is not what Christians—especially church leaders—are called to pursue!

The Scriptures invite all Christians to be “workmen,” saints who are diligent in Bible study: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Paul instructed Timothy, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). When sending off His 12 Apostles to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Lord Jesus said of them, “the workman is worthy of his meat” (Matthew 10:10).

“This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1). “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). “And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled” (Acts 14:26).

“Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do” (1 Corinthians 16:10). “We then, as workers together with him [Jesus Christ], beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Christian living is about “work,” “the work of the ministry….”