09/21/27 FIND AND FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN

09/21/27 FIND AND FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN 

Using N.T. imagery and nomenclature, pastors ought not to be serving tables. Their time should be spent in gathering, preparing and providing the spiritual meal, while other believers use their abilities, skills and gifts serving others. It is the work of ministry and the works of mercy working together that does the work of God.

If pastor has to do the work of the parishioners, then the church is reduced to a social services group. If the parishioners don't see themselves in the role of supporting the pastor do the spiritual work of ministry, then those parishioners could just as effectively serve in a civic organization.

The work of the ministry requires the work of the entire body. The entire body includes the individual parts and the family units. NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DOING THE WORK OF MINISTRY.

GOD'S PLAN FOR THE CHURCH
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom 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.

GOD'S PLAN FOR THE PREACHERS
John 21:15-17
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

GOD'S PLAN FOR CHURCH LEADERS
Acts 20:27-32
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 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.

GOD'S PLAN FOR THE CHURCH AT LARGE
2 Timothy 2:1-4
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

If your entanglement with the worldly, the trivial, the passing things of this world occupy your time, energy, effort, focus, then you are not useful to Jesus or His cause.