The Church today fights the same battles as the New Testament Church.... I think I read somewhere that " there is NOTHING NEW under the sun"... well..... there's nothing new under the roof of the church building- Church members still argue about how to spend the Lord's money, how to take care of the needy, how to settle disputes... these problems were all confronted by the Apostle Paul in the Scripture.. so do'nt think you are gonna get HOLIER THAN THE REST OF US by leaving the local church... we are encouraged to work out these struggles with LOVE and patience. Thats part of being the Family Of God.. The Lord uses it to make us stronger.... ( wow... but if the Lord knew about those BOSSY WOMEN at church... he WOULD give me a pass.. would'nt HE???)....
As we collectively fight these battles, our faith is made stronger- and we are equipped for ministry. We gotta shine the Light. We are to go out into the world and show them CHRIST... We indeed are THE MINISTERS... it's NOT the PASTORS OR THE ELDERS- THEY equip US for MINISTRY( it's in the WORD.... Ephesians 4).. Thats a weighty responsiblity- equipping the Saints- we are told in the Word to "obey those that have RULE over you.. they are watching over and caring for your SOUL, THEY must give an account".. yes... they will have to answer for how they sheperded the People of God.. They need our respect.... yes... our RESPECT....
My prayer is that we will respect our Elders by praying for them DAILY- Pray that they will be protected from Satan's attacks; pray that they will be patient when the choir women try to boss around the music minister; pray that the old deacon will stop complaining about " all the new-fangled worship songs and not enough old hymns( maybe the deacon should have a talk with the bossy women:).....but seriously folks....
Pray for your Elders, thats how we show them Respect. Let them know that you lift them up to the Throne of Grace.
Pray that God will give them supernatural strength- sheperding the people of God is hard work. They never get a break. We all expect them to do miracles, to solve every problem.... Do'nt bother them with your every complaint- YOU need to exercise WISDOM before you go to your Elder with your petty grievances- stop the WHINING and start ministering to one another- Love One another....Thats RESPECTING YOUR ELDERS..- LOVING ONE ANOTHER.....
I know what you are thinking... easier said than done.... yep thats true.... but let me give you a little hint.... Loving each other, being patient, praying for our Elders and praying for one another takes God's GRACE... a strong faith... thats why you need a sacramental view of the Church. Many of you believe in Jesus but you have not confessed Him before Men by submitting yourself for Baptism- it's time to do that.. . Many of you have not presented your covenant children for Baptism- a proper appreciation of the "oikos" principle of Scripture dictates that your children be given the sign and seal of the covenant of Grace.... It's time to do that. The Lord's Supper will strengthen you... it's not a MEMORIAL- Memorials are for the dead.. Jesus is alive and He meets with us in a real way when we feast upon His Body and Blood spiritually in the Meal. It's time to feed upon HIM.... these means of GRACE will strengthen you so that you can LOVE your Brothers and Sisters.... A Sacramental View of the Church helps us to RESPECT our Elders.... Shalom... and Oh yeah, ..... don't worry about the disagreements at your Church... its an age old battle.... I read the following in one of the early Church Fathers," Hermias, a Greek woman new to the Faith was disciplined for her contentious spirit toward the Leader of Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs at the Ephesus Congregation- She repented and was welcomed back to the fold with a spirit of Love and Unity- However, the Grouchy complaining Deacon left First Presbyterian of Ephesus and joined the Baptist Church-:)
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