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Contributed by Jerral Campfield
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Thursday, 07 November 2019 |
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Thank the Lord for Church Boards that are serving and surveying the area in which they are located, that all the needs are addressed. Here the Twelve Disciple now organize the Church by calling all together to hear the story of what is going on, this is seeking counsel from one another that all will be safe, under the leadership of the Church. They saw the greatest need as preaching the Gospel, for it is the good news that brings people to the Church, that the church might have the greatest degree of accountability. It was Jesus Himself that walked into the Temple and found them selling and exchanging money and over throwing the tables. Lord help us to see the value of the temple of God, that you and I are a-part of, so our image is not forsaken, but accepted as needed! The Disciples where given a message to be preached for that time. They did not have to study, for remember the Church was beginning from Peter the Rock. Who just stumbled and fell and asked for forgiveness, as he wept bitterly over what he had done, in rejecting the Lord at the Trial of Jesus. It is not the money that preachers are called to, it is the story that God loves you and created you to love Him, so you can be fulfilled in what you’re doing to honor and praise Him. Lord help us to not entangle ourselves in the affairs of this life and it’s outward look. 2 Timothy 2:4 New King James Version (NKJV) 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Here they are all together in one accord and are concern with what is happening in the business of the Church that God is setting up. So here they are full of the Holy Spirit seeking 7 men of a good report. Lord help us to review and pray and keep our accounts in order, so we know where we are at any given moment. The Billy Graham was the first organization to open their books to the Public, to erase all doubt where the money was spent and today Samaritans Purse does more than many Government’s to minister to emergency areas in our world. Lord help us when choosing people, to serve on our boards, to look for men that have the opinion of the Lord in seeing the Church grow in all areas. People of honesty, free from scandal, who see others as neighbors, men of integrity and full of faithfulness, will proven and tested for truthfulness and will spoken of, virtuous and praise worthy. Then full of the Holy Spirit, in order to see imagination times vividness as reality that is truth. Honest men of courage, for they are in charge of the affairs of the Church, hating covetousness, but needing more of the presence of the Lord, so wisdom is present with the ability to be discreet and judicious to be able show justice to all. 1 Corinthians 12:8 New King James Version (NKJV) 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit. They are going to be entrusted with public money and need to be frugal. So your seeing these seven are going to have a load to carry and they need to have a clear conscience of doing it, with tremendous character and authority as they submit to others in ministry. So they were appointed by the 12 Apostles along with the people present, so they could all feel the need of it, being their Church. That is the reason we have membership that allows the Church to be sovereign, we own this Church, so it’s all of our responsibility to maintain law and order. As your pastor we are here to minister to you and our community and you as members have the responsibility to make sure our properties are well taken care of. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. To see the Church in one accord is a blessing and it happens, when we know how to pray together for the business of the word of God to the Church. Yes, we are all apart as individual to the Church and when we are in agreement with the Lords will, it is God business to unite us to His will and not our wills. Lord help us to know the importance of laying hands on people for ministry and for healing of the body, soul and spirit. We all need the Power of the Holy Spirit, to empower us for the Service of the Kingdom of God. Here these men must of sold their possessions as they were Grecian or Hellenist Jews that had that trust that was needed for such responsibility. Stephen a man full of the Holy Spirit found to be an extraordinary man, who excelled in all he did. Phillip was next who was an evangelist a companion of Paul. It is strange the rest of these men we know little about, but the Apostles laid hands upon them. Showing a a special act that was used in the Old Testament for bestowing a blessing upon a sacrificial animal and for commissioning a successor of a King, or member of the Sanhedrin. Here it was used as a discharge of duty, that was just beginning. Laying of hands was also used to help to show the importance of the need for the Holy Spirit, as one's hands are placed on an individual. So the laying of hands was a sign of blessing upon the one who had hands laid on him or her. It is like conferring a blessing in answer to one’s prayers. So, everything was in good order to take care of any discontent, while the Church was being established. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Thank the Lord the Church is going to increase, as the Church body keeps connected to the vine; Jesus. The Church increases when all realize the need to spread the seed, Jesus saves. Lord help us to see a multiplying of our Church in the day we are living in, so people have hope and faith that God is in control. When the Lord walked among us, His ministry was limited to the area, but know His Holy Spirit is given to all to bring good news, it is Jesus who saves from the lust of sins addictions. Lord help us as a Church to be obedient to the faith that comes as we trust and obey Your word oh, Lord. It is not our way, but Gods way, truth and life. To Be Continued! |
Copyright 2005 Jerral Campfield, All rights reserved.
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