19/09/10

The Lord makes his ministers a flaming fire

Psalms 104:4 - Who maketh his angels [messengers] spirits [wind]; his ministers a flaming fire:


We have many who preach / evangelize and work in the vineyard of the Lord, some become famous and others do not. Some will directly reach out to a large harvest and some indirectly from a small harvest will reach a large harvest. Our harvest in one - the whole Church and we are all are part workers to the harvest.

In today's message the Lord is telling us it is He who makes effective the works of his servants, it is He who enables his servants to reach out to his people and also enable them to sanctify his people.

A person may do whatsoever he can to enlarge his congregation or ministry but at the end it is the Lord who does the adding of people. The people which are added without relying on the Lord will not stay for long or if staying will become a burden to the leader.

We as ministers not only give the Gospel and make believers for Jesus but by the Spirit of God in us we do the sanctification like fire sanctifies. Sanctification means being set apart for holy purpose. When Jesus used the word 'ekklesia' (used only 3 times in the Gospels - all in Matthew) which is translated as Church, Jesus meant a gathering of people set apart. The word 'ekklesia' [assembly] is in Acts 19 also used 3 times refers to a confused assembly which worshiped goddess Diana.

Are we a holy assembly set apart that worship God alone or are we like the confused assembly in Acts 19 which worships goddesses or men as gods or kings? Putting your spiritual leader also at a level of Jesus Christ is like making him king in your life or worshiping a goddess.

When we are just new or immature in the spirit, the Lord tolerates us. But as we grow in spirit, the Lord expects us to walk in light; a true minister of the Lord becomes an instrument to bring the sheep to the real Shepherd. We are not supposed to lead the sheep but lead them to the Lord [Holy Spirit] who will lead them.

When we set out to do an event for the youth in Daund (near Pune, which is near Mumbai) on Nov 10 to 12, we were led to this very scripture as the root scripture for this event. Since the time we have started organizing for the event we have already started to see great wonders.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord Jesus Christ, You are Good Shepherd who leads us to good pastures. You love your sheep and have set some of us to bring your sheep unto You by imitate You as a shepherd. Lord we pray for the ministers You are preparing to lead your sheep. We pray that they do not lose any of your sheep but be guided by your Spirit and reap plentiful...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]
Matthew 16:18
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter [Petros - stone], and [likewise] upon this rock [Petra - rock] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 18:15-17
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican [unbeliever].

Acts 19:30-41
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)