Honoring God's VesselThis is a featured page

HONORING GOD'S VESSELS OF MINSTRY
1 Tim. 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
see your Pastor and elders with a crown of honor sitting in front of the Church in an honorable place... even the spouces of these people deserve honor... they have smaller crowns... (believe it or not, it takes a calling, an anointing to be the help mate of one called to be a leader for God)
Hebrews 5:4
And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
no one can claim this honor for themselves, the only way to be worthy of this honor is to be called of God into this position... and obey the calling, and obey God in all that He instructs....
How do we honor the ministers of God?
DO NOT FORGET TO APPRECIATE THEM... they work hard!!
appreciate them by
1) obeying them and praying for them....
Hebrews 13:17-18
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
if they tell us to sign over all that we own to them, should we obey?? NOTICE that the word says "they watch for you souls"... and "they that must give account" they are accountable for their acctions and their duty is to watch out for our souls, not our pocketbooks, what we do with our pocketbooks is between us and God, He made us all stewards over the material blessings He gives us... so no, we would not obey that, and I would encourage anyone who may experience this to pray very earnestly about obeying this man at all, chances are God will tell you that He didn't send this man...
this is just an example of how we are to consider whether God's word would agree with whatever the man says or not, and that if the word doesn't agree with it, then don't listen, and don't obey... follow them ONLY as they follow Jesus...
2) help them
Philip. 4:3
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help 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.
who is a TRUE yokefellow that He is speaking of here??... Brothers and sisters dedicated to the service of God... we are to help each other... are we part of these??
ever heard the song that says everyone wants the blessings of God, but no one wants to work in the field?? (not exact words, but it is a beautiful song)... where is the field?? the world of coarse.... and what is the harvest?? souls for God of coarse...
It is the Pastors duty to get out and visit and witness and lead souls to God... right?? right... and wrong... it is IT IS THE DUTY OF ALL OF US WHO SERVE HIM... ALL WHO ARE THE REDEEMED OF GOD!! ... He told ALL of His followerers to go out and spread the word... didn't He?? are we part His followerers?? I am... and I say... "Yes, Lord, I will go, and I will work"
3) receive them as though they are messengers sent by God (because they are)
Philip. 2:29
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
with GLADNESS??... even when they bruise our toes?? YES... especially when they bruise our toes... it is not easy to obey God and bring a message that will either harden or tenderize hearts... because we dread those whose hearts will harden, who will not recieve the message with gladness... but do we please them... or God?? my vote is on God... and then we pray for them, and love them... even if they reject us... sounds like any easy job... right?? YEAH RIGHT....
it is not easy, so let us obey God and recieve them with gladness, they are just the messenger...
4) love them
1 Thes. 5:13
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
esteem them highly... love them, honor them, help them, pray for them... listen and obey as they teach the truth of God's word...
5) follow their example, as they follow Jesus
1 Cor. 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Philip. 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
they are our examples AS they follow Jesus, and IF they follow Jesus.... so how do we know if they are following Jesus?? study to show yourselfs approved, a workman that needeth not to be corrected... (not exact... but look it up... it will do you good) and if we do this... we will KNOW...
6) support them
1 Cor. 9:7-11
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
these men and women carry a great burden for God... they carry all of us on their backs... how? they are accountable for what they teach us and where they lead us... that is a GREAT burden... they are up late praying for us... and studying so that they can teach us God's truth... they visit the sick, they visit the (lazy... oops... did I say that??) yes... those who are slothful (and I am guilty of that at times, and my Pastor lovingly points out to me the dangers of my slothfullness.... he knows he can do that and I won't get mad, because I desire to please God and slothfullness is not pleasing to God).... they visit those with the bad cases of "don't cares" and encourage them when they need encouraging themselves... in fact they don't get much encouragement a lot of times... they encourage themselves with the word of God.... their work is hard and too often unappreciated...
so why be stingy with them??? what does it hurt us to be generous toward them?? they deserve to be blessed by us who they work so hard for... and as a footnote... give with gladness, and God will bless you with gladness... as you mete.... it will be meted back to you.... the scripture is in Luke, I believe it is chapter 6... give and it shall be given back... look it up... it will do you good...
why should a minister of God be honored? what they do is not easy...
a minister of God separates themselves to God...
Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
they please God, not man...
1Thes. 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
they represent Jesus, and they labor for our souls...
2 Cor. 5:20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
(we are all ambassadors for Christ, some are just called into a higher office of ambassadorship)
they preach God's word, and they are carriers of the GOOD news...
Romans 10:15
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!



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ABMinistries 		Latest page update: made by ABMinistries , Aug 31 2008, 2:43 PM EDT (about this update About This Update ABMinistries Edited by ABMinistries

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