Category: God: The Father, the Son Jesus Christ, & the Holy Ghost

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….

Liberated to Serve

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 KJV).

Today, as we in the United States celebrate the 242nd anniversary of our nation’s independence, we invite our Christian brethren worldwide to rejoice with us concerning our freedom in Jesus Christ.

When we proclaim Romans 6:14—“Ye are not under the law, but under grace”—people tend to assume “loose living.” Does “grace living” really mean we can now live any way we want? Lest anyone be misled in that regard, God the Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to write in the next verse, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]” (Romans 6:15). Grace living is not Law-keeping, but it certainly is not Law-breaking either.

God still cares how we live, albeit He is not operating the “weak and beggarly” system of “bondage” (Law) that He once did with Israel (Galatians 4:9). God proved to the entire world that since Israel could not keep His commandments perfectly, no other sons of Adam (the Gentiles) could either: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them [Israel] who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world [Gentiles] may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

We sinners cannot keep the Law. However, God in His grace provided us a way to escape that condemnation by sending Jesus Christ to offer Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross to pay for our sins. By simple faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the fully-satisfying payment for our sins, we can now be “made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can be delivered from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire) and the power of sin (flesh-walking).

Why are we Christians free? To selfishly live any way we want? NO! Today’s Scripture says we are liberated to now serve others, especially our Christian brethren, just as Jesus Christ selflessly served His Father and selflessly died on our behalf. That is grace living!!!!

Please see our 2011 Fourth of July Bible study “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land,” which can be watched here or read here.

A Small Moment Versus Everlasting #2

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

“For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer” (Isaiah 54:7,8 KJV).

The nation Israel is in terrible straits, but she also has a spectacular future!

While the fifth course of judgment is dreadful, it (looking into the future) is winding down. Jesus Christ returns to Earth to conclude its final seven years. Israel will be permanently restored to JEHOVAH God: He will marry her again, and marry her to her land again. He has not left her under His wrath indefinitely, oppressed of the Gentiles forever. It is “for a small moment” He has forsaken her, hidden His face from her. “In a little wrath” that is “for a moment,” He has punished her for her sins.

Now, with Christ’s Second Coming drawing closer, God will soon show Himself to Israel for the first time in millennia. He is approaching to “gather” her “with great mercies.” Wrath is passing; light is dawning. His face literally shines as He enters Earth’s atmosphere! They see Him! His people mourn that their ancestors crucified Him all those centuries ago! His enemies wail in fear—He is not happy! As He literally and physically stands in Israel’s land for the first time in 20 centuries, He shows her “everlasting kindness” and “mercy.” He is her “Redeemer,” having rescued her from sin, death, Hell, and Satan. Now, she will enjoy God’s goodness forever in His earthly kingdom, never again to be judged.

Isaiah chapter 49: “[24] Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? [25] But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. [26] And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.”

A Small Moment Versus Everlasting #1

Monday, July 2, 2018

“For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer” (Isaiah 54:7,8 KJV).

The nation Israel is in terrible straits, but she also has a spectacular future!

As per the Law Covenant (Leviticus 26:1-46; Deuteronomy 28:1-68), Israel’s obedience brought God’s blessing while disobedience occasioned curses. In today’s Scripture, she finds herself cursed. Unbelieving and rebellious (idolatrous), now God has chastised her with five courses of judgment. The fifth stage is operating. It began in centuries before Christ, it is currently suspended during our Dispensation of Grace, and (thus from our view) today’s Scripture is actually Israel yet future. In the seven-year Tribulation, Israel will be judged most terribly.

Today’s Scripture in context: “[5] For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. [6] For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. [7] For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. [8] In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.”

JEHOVAH God had married Israel, but she was unfaithful—“a whoring after other gods” (Judges 2:17; Judges 8:33; 1 Chronicles 5:25; Hosea 1:2; cf. Exodus 34:10-17). God divorced her (Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 4:1-9), evicting her from His Promised Land and giving her over to her Gentile enemies. Psalm 106:39-42: “[39] Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. [40] Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. [41] And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. [42] Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.”

Israel finds herself here in today’s Scripture….

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….”