25/09/13

Ministering each other in carnal things

Romans 15:27 - It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.


In today's message the Lord wants to tell us 2 things.

Firstly we see even during the time of the Apostles there were various different churches like we have various Christian denominations today, but then they were not differentiated by their understanding or leader but by the place and congregation (people according to the culture they came from). Even though they were separate Churches yet they were one and we see Christians of Macedonia and Achaia, which included churches of Philippi, Thessalonica and Corinth, contributed financially to the church of Jerusalem. This they did not do because the church of Jerusalem was considered a head church or a center of administration. The only common thing between the various churches at that time other than the belief was the people working for the Kingdom of God.

Although Paul initiated these churches he was never possessive of them being 'his church'. He surely was passionate about them but he did call other likeminded (in understanding and mission) colleagues working with him for God Kingdom, to help minister to these churches.

What we lack today is the people working for the Kingdom of God becoming small minded and working only at church level, we have very few who work across churches or denominations. Sadly those who work soon or later also get pulled into local churches.

Secondly we read the word translated as carnal means things of the body. The churches were not united only in helping each other spiritually but also in worldly needs. There was no famine or disaster in Jerusalem that these churches thought of helping or reaching out financially to the church in Jerusalem. It was just that they were sharing their blessings with each other. Pauls says in other words it was like saying thank you for giving them the Gospel since the Gospel came from the Jews even though most Jews rejected Christ, yet for the few it is the duty of Christians to thank them for being a source for Christ.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, your Kingdom is divided for your people are not united in You but are divided by their understanding. Lord, we pray You teach your people to reach out to their brethren in other churches or denominations. Lord, bring us to be one in heart and one in mission...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference ]
Romans 15:25-28
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

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