TO THE GLORY OF GOD

God is most glorious and He is above all things to receive glory. In 1 Peter 4:7-11, the Apostle focuses on how can do all things to the glory of God. 

There is to be intentional URGENCY. “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”  (1 Pet. 4:7)

I am reminded of the words of missionary C. T. Studd, 

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Writing as a man in his seventies, who has been active in church work for nearly half a century, I can attest to the rapidity with which life races by. There is no rewind button. Every precious second that ticks by, with a significant amount spent in sleep and basic necessities, will never be reclaimed. Time is too precious to waste or as we say, “killing time.” Instead our days are to be devoted to the glory of God, as those who must stand before Christ and give account. 

Human history is linear and not circular. There was a starting point in creation and there will be a finishing point of consummation. Those who glorify God best live as though Christ might return today—for He may! 

This leads us to seriousness—“therefore be serious.”  It doesn’t mean we shuffle along with a long face as in a funeral, but rather that we run purposefully with joyful anticipation of a wedding with Christ our Bridegroom.  That is important. If you have ever been around a woman preparing for marriage, you know they take the wedding seriously!

This further inspires supplication—“watchful in your prayers.”  Those who glorify God most are those who spend time in His presence. As we gaze into His glorious face, we reflect that glory when we leave the private place of Divine communion and journey to the public place of human connection.  

There is to be loving FERVENCY, “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” (1 Pet. 4:8-9)

While we ought to say to others, “I love you,” it is imperative that we show others we love them. True love is a fire exhibited fervently. As God is nauseated by lukewarmness, He desires that we “have fervent love for one another.”  

Such love is marked by humility. “Love will cover a multitude of sins.” We are to humbly forgive and not assert our own rights. We are not about exposing the flaws of others, instead humbly confessing our own failings. As Jesus said, 

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do  not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to  your brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye”; and look,  a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank  from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the  speck from your brother’s eye. (Matt. ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭5‬‬)

Peter tells us such love is also exhibited by hospitality. “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”  An open heart and open arms lead to an open door. How we entertain one another in our home ought to be with gladness and not a grumbling.  It is something we want to do and not just we have to do—a delight and not a duty.  

There is to be gracious MINISTRY. 

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as  good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks,  let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him  do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God  may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory  and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10-‭11‬‬)

Every church member is to be a minister. All the Father’s children are gifted children. Being born again of the Spirit, each of us has at least one spiritual gift. These are not for show, but for service. 

Every church pastor is to be teacher  “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.”  The preacher has a particular ministry of speaking the Word of God—not his opinions, but God’s oracles.

There is a sacred stewardship. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  As mentioned previously, a day of accounting is coming. Paul put it this way, 

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious  stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for  the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the  fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work  which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If  anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be  saved, yet so as through fire.  (1 Cor. ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭15‬‬)

There is a supernatural supply. “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies.” Christian ministry is a human impossibility. If we do it, then we can claim credit for it. If God does it through us, then He gets the glory. That is the way it works. The secret is to abide in Christ. Read John 15 where our Lord reminds us that He is the Vine and we are the branches. If a branch is not connected to the vine it cannot bear fruit. Now, we may think our service is something, but Christ says it is nothing—that is, of no eternal significance unless done in supernatural reliance.

When there is intentional urgency, loving fervency, and gracious ministry, here is the result: “that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

THE VITALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”(Acts 1:8) The Holy Spirit vitalizes and revitalizes us—He gives us life and that abundantly.  He revives us when we are drained.  Consider how His vitality is experienced:

• REGENERATING. “Jesus answered, “‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.” The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’” (John 3:5-8)  The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, draws us to Christ, and imparts life.  This is where spiritual life begins.

• BAPTIZING. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Cor.12:13)  The baptism of the Holy Spirit—giving us a real connection with God—began at Pentecost and that special relationship is for all believers.  You don’t seek the baptism—it’s yours.  The moment you are regenerated, you are immersed into Christ and Christ implanted in you!

• SEALING. “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Cor.1:20-22)  See the Trinity at work in assuring our salvation?  The Spirit seals us—marking us as belonging to Christ.  He is the guarantee of heaven to come—the downpayment on our full possession of a home in glory.
 
• FILLING. “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,” (Eph.5:18).  This is a command to obey and a promise to claim.  It is coming under His control.  As drunkenness dominates a person and alters everything about them, so being intoxicated with God brings us under the Spirit’s dominion and impacts all about us—how we think, see, walk, talk, feel and act.

• EQUIPPING. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:” (1 Cor.12:1).  The Holy Spirit has given us all the gifts we need to do all God wants us to do.  He is the source of successful spiritual service.

The Spirit is life—eternal life—energizing and equipping us.

MEMBERS OF THE BODY

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.  (1 Corinthians 12:27)

In a day when many are minimizing the significance of the local church—even among “Christians,” it is important to be reminded of what Scripture teaches—the local church is how God gets His work done in the world.  Through the assembly of believers, they are ministered to that they might be on mission for God.  It is there that truth is taught, where we are equipped, that accountability is provided, mission is conveyed, and supplication is offered together in a powerful way.  We are called to be members of a congregation—we are members of the body of Christ.

Of course, there is the church universal—all believers from Pentecost onward—a host dwelling in heaven and millions scattered through the earth today.  Most of the time, however, the New Testament uses the term, “church,” to describe an assembly of saints, meeting at a particular place, gathering for worship under the guidance of pastors and deacons.  That is how Paul is speaking of the body of Christ at Corinth in chapter twelve of his first epistle to them.

Before these Corinthians were born into God’s family and became members of Christ’s church, they were pagans (v.1-3).  Coming to Jesus meant that the Spirit of God had come to indwell them.  Each member had the Spirit residing in them, enabling them to confess that Jesus is Lord.  That is the joint confession which is made powerfully when we gather with others who have experienced salvation in the local church.

The Spirit imparts to the members gifts according to His sovereign will (v.4-11).  Each believer has received at least one spiritual gift, some have several, but none have them all.  These gifts are not to puff us up in pride, but to be employed for the edifying of the body.  The list of spiritual gifts here is not exhaustive, but representative.  There are other gift “lists” with variation.  The particular ones listed here were perhaps most visible in Corinth.  It is the decision of the Spirit of God as to what gifts we have, and not a matter of our desire for one or the other.

The Apostle uses the illustration of a human body to explain how the church should operate (v.12-31).  Just as our various organs have a specific function in relation to the health of our physical being, so the different members of Christ’s body have particular purposes—and diverse ones—cooperating together in a healthy church.  Every member is essential.  These differences, however, can become a source of strife—and it had in the Corinthian church.  Members were comparing the nature and number of their gifts with one another and what God meant for good, the Devil was using for evil.  It is like an auto-immune disease that some have today—where the body’s defense system starts attacking healthy cells and organs, thinking them to be a virus.  Just as this is harmful, and potentially deadly to our physical being, it will be to the church.

Let us discover, develop, and deploy our gifts for the good of the entire church.  This happens when love is the dominant force in our lives.  It is the, “more excellent way,” Paul refers to in verse thirty-one, and that he will describe in the great love chapter that follows.

The church is headquarters for God’s work.  Let’s plug in and get busy!

SPIRITUAL SERVICE

I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you....  (Exodus 31:6b)

 

Are you a spiritual person?  Some equate it with emotion—the more I laugh or cry, the more spiritual I am.  Others associate it with volume—loud "Amens" or quiet contemplation.  Then some connect it with posture—kneeling down or raising hands.  While I am not opposed to any of that in its place—none of that makes a person spiritual.  Bezalel and Aholiab are examples of spiritual persons. 

 

THE SPIRITUAL SERVANT IS ENLISTED BY GOD (v.1-2).  Bezalel heard the call of God and responded to it.  We observe God’s sovereign choice.  It is God's decision, not our desire determining the nature of our service (see 1 Cor.12:18).  The spiritual person knows that whether they are in the spotlight or behind the scenes, there is no room for either conceit on one hand or covetousness on the other.  Either one will hinder our service and isn't spiritual.  Our enlistement also involves God’s specific calling.  God called Bezalel by name—now that's specific!  God calls us to salvation by name (John 10:1-4).  The same God who calls us to salvation, calls us to service.  He has a specific assignment. Have you heard God's call and responded to it?

THE SPIRITUAL SERVANT IS EQUIPPED BY GOD (v.3)  We note that God promises the power of the Holy Spirit to enable Bezalel to accomplish his assignment.  We can be sure that the work God has for us flows from His work in us.  Think about the definition of being Spirit-filled.  During the Old Testament era, the Spirit only filled select people for specific purposes for set periods.  In the New Testament age, every believer has the privilege of the Spirit's indwelling and the potential of His infilling.  Paul wrote, "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit"  (Eph.5:18).  As being filled with liquor affects a person in a sinful way, so being filled with the Lord affects him or her in a needful way!  When someone is filled with liquor it controls them and impacts their thinking, vision, speech, walk, personality—so too when filled with the Spirit!  There is also the diversity in receiving spiritual gifts.  A special giftedness was imparted to Bezalel.  The gifts Moses had and those Aaron had and those Joshua had and those Bezalel had differed—but all were needed.  That's the way it is in the body of Christ.  Each of us need to discover, develop and deploy our spiritual gifts. 

THE SPIRITUAL SERVANT IS EMPLOYED BY GOD (v.4-11).  The spiritual person has not only been enlisted, and equipped, they are employed.  This brings the proof of our calling.  Bezalel was faithful and fruitful.  This leads to the performance of our duty.  God hasn't called us to be ornamental, but instrumental.  Spiritual gifts aren't for show, but for service.  They aren't given to puff up the Christian, but to build up the church!  During the reign of Oliver Cromwell in England, there was a shortage of silver for minting coins.  A search was made, and all they could find was in the churches' statues of the saints.  Cromwell said, "It's time we melted down the saints and put them into circulation." That needs to happen in the church.

The spiritual person is born of the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and using spiritual gifts.  Are all these attributes present in your life?

CONNECTED IN GROWTH: Our Guides

 

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

God has given spiritual gifts to His people.  In this case, the Apostle Paul is speaking of gifted people that guide the church in growth.  I enjoy saying (with a wink of the eye) to our congregation, “Did you know that I am God’s gift to this church?”

But, it is true!  Now, there is no room for boasting.  Having such a calling to service is as much an act of God’s grace as the call to salvation.  We deserve neither—yet, this is how God works.  He sovereignly places people in His Body, according to His desire, and not our merit.  Nonetheless, these leaders are essential for the church to be built up.

The apostles and prophets were essential in putting in the foundation of the edifice.  Paul previously stated,

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.  (Ephesians 2:20-22)

Christ is the Cornerstone that is the beginning and anchor point for His church.  Then the Spirit of God placed the apostles and prophets in the first century church to establish the solid teaching upon which the church would rest.  Once the lifespan of the Apostles was completed, these gifted people passed off the scene.  There are none who carry such direct authority from Christ Himself today.  They were a special class who had walked and talked with Jesus, appointed by Him and eyewitnesses of His resurrection.  Similarly, the prophets spoke directly from God until the New Testament was written.  The church no longer needs more apostles and prophets—when the Bible is proclaimed, God speaks.  In this sense, the ministry of these men continues through the message they wrote.

Now, atop that foundation, the frame of the edifice is being extended upward and outward—each new believer being another stone in the spiritual structure.  The gifts of the evangelist and the pastor-teacher are crucial to the construction.  I use the term pastor-teacher because Paul’s intent seems to be that these are not two different offices, but a composite term describing the officer’s duty to lead the flock as a pastor and to feed the flock as a teacher.

These gifted leaders guide the work to make sure it remains sound and straight—connected with the Cornerstone and aligned with apostolic doctrine.  The evangelist adds another stone and the pastor-teacher cements them together with truth.

We should recognize that every believer is called to evangelize the lost.  The pastor-teacher is commanded specifically to, “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim.4:5).  Yet, we find there are certain people who are gifted by God to gather the harvest.  I may preach and a few are saved, while the evangelist preaches and a bumper crop is reaped.  I think if Billy Graham said, “Mesopotamia” and extended an invitation, hundreds would come forward in response!  At least it seems that the evangelist has such gifts—and, indeed, they are tasked with such a responsibility and given the tools to do it.

Yet, the harvest would be lost, if the grain were not conserved.  That is the primary work of the pastor-teacher.  God has gifted me—and other men like me—with this sacred charge.  We guide the church and it grows.

But, notice that the growth is a result of the people of God being equipped for their ministry.  The “ministers” of the church are often identified as the elders of the church—her pastoral staff.  Such a local church will never grow significantly, if the people view the pastors as “hired hands” brought in to do the ministry.  The work is too vast for such a few.  The harvest is too large for a handful of workers to preserve it.

I do have a ministry as a pastor—and that ministry is to equip you to fulfill your ministry!  Pastors are gifted guides but they do not have all the spiritual gifts.  Each person God sets in the church has at least one spiritual gift—and some have multiple gifts.  None have all the gifts!  So, these gifts must be discovered, developed and deployed for the church to be edified.

In the pastor-teacher’s job title there is the implication that he must exhort the people as pastor, prodding them with the staff of Scripture to undertake their ministry and then as teacher, prepping them with the sustenance of Scripture—feeding them in the rich pasture of God’s Word.  The result will be a church that is the dynamic, expansive force that glorifies God by impacting the world.

Has God called you to be an evangelist?  Billy Graham is soon to give his final altar call.  Whom will God gift in this next generation?  Perhaps the Spirit is compelling you to devote yourself to serving the church as pastor-teacher.  I am not as young as I once was.  There will come a day when I will preach my last sermon.  That I will is not debatable—only when I will is not declared—unknown to me, but not to God.  So, after that God will have readied another man to stand in my place, even as I have walked the path to the pulpit where my predecessors have trod.

God is calling each member to be a minister—if not an evangelist or pastor-teacher—then to love on little ones in the nursery, or to help teens wrestling with the world that they might be victorious, or to teach young adults to become solid in conviction in a compromising era, or to challenge median adults to not become complacent, or to console senior adults in the specific struggles that aging brings.  God wants some to be ushers, cooks, cleaners, chaperones, deacons, drivers of the church bus, and much more.  Are you being obedient to God’s call?  We must all work together for this enormous task.  Then the church will grow—and that is God’s expectation!