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MINISTRATION OF LIFE VERSES THE MINISTRATION OF DEATH

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 3:9 ” For if the ministration of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.”

We continue with the comparison between the life and encounters in the New Testament and that of the Old.

The ministration of the Old Testament or the law is called the ministration of condemnation. Some Christians pray and wish we were in the times of Moses and Elijah. Those times, according to the revelation of the Holy Spirit given to Apostle Paul, are called the ministration of condemnation. Moses walked in the glory and power of God, yet that glory was described as a passing glory. (1st Corinthians 3:7)

If the Moses era that manifested so much of the glory of God was called the ministration of condemnation, how much more would the ministration of righteousness be more glorious? Romans 8:1 says,” There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit”. The statement ‘who walk not after the flesh ‘ simply means those who live by faith. Living by faith is living by the word of God. The period of condemnation was the period when men lived by their works. They lived according to their self-efforts or by the flesh.

Living by the flesh, living by sight or by human reasoning places you in condemnation. No one can be justified by living according to the senses. The just shall always live by faith. (Rom 1:17) Faith in God places a man in the ministration of the Spirit or ministration of righteousness. Righteousness is the same word as justification in the Greek language. The life of true glory and power is never by one’s effort but by purely relying on the word of God revealed about our Lord Jesus. The glory of the New Testament is the glory of our Lord Jesus, and we have received that glory by faith.

Now, please notice this; the word ministration also means service or servicing. It also means dispensing as a drug attendant dispenses his drugs. In the New Testament, we dispense, minister, or serve by the Spirit. Everything about us should never proceed from self-effort. Life under the New Testament is counting on the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ to do all things. It means believing in the Lord Jesus, counting on what he is and has done to be ours. We live by His victory over sin. We live by his carrying away all our sicknesses to live in health. We live by his power to defeat the enemy. This is the glorious ministry of the New Testament.

Please note that, in the New Testament, we are one with Christ ( 1st Corinth 6:17) . If a witch doctor using divination should call the Spirit of a Christian to destroy or harm him, it is Jesus himself who would appear because that is our true personality. This is the difference between life under the old covenant and that of the new.

CONFESSION

I thank God for the new covenant. Now it is Christ living through me as I count on Him. This is a more glorious ministry because it’s Christ alive in me. I live by my faith in Him and He powerfully functions through me. Glory be to God.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Galatians 2:20 ” I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”.

2 Corinthians 3:10 “For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth”.

GOD OUR SUFFICIENCY, AN AMAZING REVELATION

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Co 3:5 KJV “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”

Christianity is the answer to the human failure. It is an initiation into a life of a superior influence. 2 Peter 1:4 KJV ” Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” This verse tells us that through our encounter with the truths of scripture, we become partakers of the divine nature, and as a result, we escape the corruption that is in the world. To know that God, the creator of the heavens and the earth is our sufficiency should put our minds to rest about anything that may appear to threaten, or look unsurmountable. With such a knowledge that Jesus is our sufficiency, we stop fighting any opposition or challenge by ourselves or might. We face every one of them knowing that it is actually God or Christ Himself handling these matters through us.

This was the insight David the anointed King, yet a shepherd boy knew and evidently acknowledged. He told the giant Goliath 1Sa 17:45 KJV” Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” David knew the Lord was his sufficiency, and so the battle was a forgone conclusion. He was the victor even before the contest. David was so sure of victory that he ran to face that giant. He was never disappointed.
God would always honour His word whenever we approach any opposition, knowing that He is our sufficiency.

There are many Christians who are living under various forms of torment emanating from all kinds of worries. Many are tormented by fears of all kinds. The fear of shame, sicknesses that are afflicting them, debts of all levels and some non-existent ones. All these torments come to them because they have not acknowledged that God is their sufficiency.

Dear child of God the very moment you accept in truth that Jesus is your sufficiency, every tormenting fear will lose its grip over you. You would instantly be free, and the Lord will deal with the situation for you.

Apostle Babalola of blessed memory was praying in a bush when he saw a huge python approaching him. He continued praying even after the creature attempted coiling around him. This beast was stricken by the power of God and died. The man of God knew Jesus was his sufficiency and did not fear at all about the threat posed by the creature. Nothing can harm you when you trust the Lord.

CONFESSION

God the monarch of the universe is my sufficiency. I do not face life by my might or ability. His presence and power have now taken over everything about me. There is nothing dangerous that I fear. There is nothing too big for me to overcome. I live a life of perfect peace. Glory be to God.

THOUGHT: STOP FIGHTING AND ALLOW JESUS FIGHT THROUGH YOU.

FURTHER STUDIES

Exo 14:14 KJV” The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

1Sa 17:47 KJV” And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.”

GOD, OUR SUFFICIENCY

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 3:6 ” Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life”.

The writings of Apostle Paul keep revealing powerful truths about the Christian.

Our key scripture is a completion of the earlier verse, which says “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; God is our sufficiency. It is He who makes us qualified for whatever he calls on us to do. We must not in any way think or suggest that we are sufficient of ourselves. God Himself is our ABILITY. This should take away every pride from our hearts. We must never feel incapable of handling any situation. This revelation should also challenge us to boldly accept to do whatever task our heavenly father asks us to do.

In the light of what he said in verse five, He says we have been made able ministers of the New Testament. He exposes that the New Testament is of the Spirit while the Old Testament is the letter. To say the Old Testament is of the letter means the Old Testament has no spiritual provisions that enable us to do what it says. In our verse above, the scripture says the letter kills. Why does the letter kill? The law or the letter gives us instructions, demands, and commands but provides no life or ability to fulfil them. Everyone under the law is helpless and in bondage. It is very frustrating to be asked to do a task without any provisions to accomplish it. This is what the law or letter does to us.

Romans 8:3a states the following “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh…..”. Man, because of the fall, is helpless under sin, which makes him incapable of doing what the law says. Under the New Testament, we have the ministry of the Spirit and not the letter. Man under the New Testament is not left at the mercy of the law but has the support of the Spirit, which gives us life to do what it tells us.

In verse 7, the Bible calls the law the ministration of death. This ministration of death is what came on the face of Moses shining such that the children of Israel could not look on the face of Moses. (Exodus 34:29-30). The scripture added that this glory was done away with. The ministration of the Spirit is indeed more glorious. We have a more glorious ministry than Moses had.

Our study teaches that Christians have been specially endowed with Grace and made capable of living by the ability of the Spirit so we would be able to bring glory to our heavenly father.

CONFESSION

I thank God for this great life. I have received the ability of the Spirit to live a higher life, bringing the glory, power, and praise of my heavenly father into reality in the midst of men.

FURTHER STUDIES.

2 Corinthians 3:7″ But if the ministration of death, written and engraved in stones, was glorious so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:”

2 Corinthians 3:9. For if the ministration of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

GOD REWARDS HELPERS

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KEY SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

God is faithful and would not forget the labour of every helper. The role of a helper always calls for sacrifices often without any physical rewards from the church. Many are tempted to give up.

There have been instances in which some helpers have been dishonoured, mistreated, or despised. This may cause a helper to become bitter and decide to stop his activities. Dear brother or sister who have been of help to the body of Christ, or a man of God under whom you have served yet you’ve been maligned, mistreated or despised. Understand you are not serving a man, but you are serving our Lord Jesus Christ. The church is the body of Christ (1st Corinthians 12:27). Anything you do for the church is done for the Lord Jesus.

Our key scripture says God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which you have shown towards his name, in that ye served the saints. God is a rewarder. Nobody does a kind deed for God that He (God) does not reward. When the Lord used Peter’s boat, He asked them to cast their net for a drought. Although they had failed to catch any fish earlier, Peter obeyed and caught so much that fishing partners had to come to help them draw the catch. This even caused their net to break.

In 1st Corinthians 15:58 apostle Paul exhorts as follows, “Therefore my beloved brethren be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”. Dear helper in the house of God, your labour is never going to be in vain. God would reward your great sacrifices. Never lose sight of your rewards. Now note this: there are two phases of God’s rewards. There is the reward you receive here on this earth, and there is the reward you receive in heaven. In Mark 10:29-30 the Lord Jesus taught His disciples that anyone who sacrifices his life to serve him shall receive a hundredfold of all that, he or she has forsaken, including brothers and sisters with persecution. God does not wait till you get to heaven before you are rewarded. He will certainly “pay” you here in your lifetime and then in heaven.

CONFESSION

I would never give up on any good work I am doing for the Lord. God is a rewarder for all those who would diligently seek Him. I would certainly have my reward here in this life as well as in the world to come.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Hebrews 11:6 ”But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.

Mark 10:30 “But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life”.

THE MINISTRY OF HELPS 2

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:28 ” And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues”.

“The ministry of helps” is an important aspect of the church of God. The Apostle Paul spoke about the household of Stephanus in 1st Corinthians 16:15 as follows: “I beseech you brethren (ye know the house of Stephanus, that it is the first fruits of Achaia and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints”. These brethren were given over to help the saints. They showed hospitality to the saints, providing for their needs, and they also attended and assisted the Apostles in their journeys. These brethren were simply helpers of the church.

A lot would be achieved in the body of Christ if there were many of the children of God who would addict themselves to serving the body of Christ as the household of Stephanus did. In Luke 8:3, the Bible spoke about certain women who used their substances or money to support the ministry of our Lord Jesus. The Lord had to take care of all the disciples, including their wives and children. He, therefore, needed to be supported by others. In the ministry of help, brethren who are financially blessed play a great part. In Acts 4:36, we learn about Joses, who was surnamed. Barnabas by the apostles. He was a great man who supported many. His name, Barnabas, meant the son of consolation. He was the one who stood by Apostle Paul in the early days and years of his conversion. Most brethren were afraid of him yet in Acts 9:27 the Bible said “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way and that he had spoken to him…..” Indeed Barnabas was of great strength to him.

This ministry of help is an aspect in that many children of God can play a part in making the body of Christ stronger. Praying for one another, and looking out for needs in the life of fellow brethren and those outside the church are all part of this ministry of help. In Acts 9:25, some Jews waited at the city gate to attack and kill Paul. But some brethren put him in a basket and let him down over the city wall to save his life.

The brethren who helped Apostle Paul escape did not know they were saving the life of a man who would write about half of the New Testament message. You have no idea that the young boy or girl you are assisting today will become the next mighty evangelist in the future.

There are some who have been taken advantage of by certain individuals, including some pastors. Seek the leading of the Spirit before helping certain individuals. I believe that as you associate with people you would know the true nature of certain brethren. Just allow the Spirit of God to lead you.

CONFESSION

Father, I commit my life to lifting, i support all in various challenges and difficulties so they may fulfil their call mandate.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Acts 9:25.” Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket”.

Luke 8:3. ” And Joanna, the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

THE MINISTRY OF HELPS

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:28 ” And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues”.

There is another area of. Service in the body of Christ which is not normally talked about, yet it is very. Important. This is a kind of service or ministry not appointed by any man, but the Holy. Spirit stirs the hearts of certain individuals to play this role.
We now look at the ministry of helps. The New Testament is filled with many examples of the ministry of help. The word “helps” in Acts 27:17 speaks of the rope-like cable that sailors used to wrap around the ship during a storm. This is a supporting ministry. The ministry of help is what God wraps around us to hold us together in our stormy times.

The Bible mentioned seven people who ministered in this area of help. For example, there is Phebe, in Romans 16:1-2 Paul said “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church, that ye receive her in the Lord, for she has been a securer (helper) of many and of myself also”. Phebe was a helper. She carried the book of Romans to Rome for Paul at his request. Though she was not a preacher, Phebe helped to spread the gospel.

Lydia was another helper who supported Paul. We find in Acts 16:14-15, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us”.

She provided lodging in her house in Philippi for Paul and his group.

In Exodus 17:8-12, Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands during a battle. The victory of the Israelites depended on whether Moses’ hands were up or not. These men supported his hands which were getting too tired to remain up. This made Israel win the battle.

Every man of God needs helpers to help him to succeed. Our Lord needed helpers who provided things like a place for his last supper, the Colt he rode on to Jerusalem, and even Joseph of Arimathea who gave him his tomb when he died.

These helpers normally make great sacrifices for most men of God. It may surprise some of us to know that in heaven some of these helpers would receive greater rewards than some of these men of God. Why would this happen? The truth is that a number of these helpers are so faithful and make more sacrifices than the man of God. It would therefore be just right that God who sees more than the human eye sees would definitely reward them more than the man under whom they served.

Let everyone play his role to the best of his or her abilities. What is most important is to do everything in sincere love for God. and his people.

PRAYER

Lord, I pray for all helpers who make various levels of sacrifices to help God’s work move on very well. May you strengthen them to fulfil their services on earth.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Exodus 17:12 But Moses’ hands were heavy, and they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat thereon, and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

John 19:38 ” And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore and took the body of Jesus”.

QUALIFICATIONS OF A DEACON

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 3:8 ” Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”

We would consider the qualifications of a deacon in detail. 1st Timothy 3:8-9 reads “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.”

Acts Chapter 6 introduces the basic qualifications of the deacon. Act 6:3 KJV Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. To be full of the Holy Spirit means one is controllèd by the Holy Spirit. The full dominance of the Holy Spirit is the one who enables the Christian to manifest all the Christian virtue.

The deacon must be grave. This means they should act honourably or be honest in all their dealings. They should be men and women of strong conviction about the importance of leading an upright life.

The next virtue is that they must not be double-tongued. This means they must say the same thing at all times. They should not call a thing ‘.A’ today in the presence of Mr. D and at another time in the presence of Mr. F he says it is B. This is not a trustworthy individual. It is the character trait of a serpent. He must always speak the truth. The tendency to say the truth at all times is what makes one to be trusted.

The third qualification is that they must not be given too much wine. In the qualifications of a bishop or an Elder, the Bible said he must not be given to wine. The qualifications of a bishop or pastor are no different from that of a deacon. It therefore holds that the deacon must likewise not be given to wine. In Leviticus 10:9 the Jewish minister was not to take wine in the service of God. Why should it then be any more proper for a Christian minister to drink wine than for a Jewish priest to stay away? Shall a minister of the gospel be less holy than the Jewish minister? Wine is addictive and I will always advise Christians to stay away from it.

The next was that he should not be greedy of filthy lucre. He should not be greedy about money. The deacons, by their functions, are the ones who normally handle church monies, and therefore, it is just right that they are people who are not greedy about money. Judas, one of the disciples of our Lord Jesus, betrayed his master because of his greed for money.

He must also hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. This means he must be sincere about the teachings of the bible. 2nd Corinthians 4:2 informs us that the Apostle Paul renounced all hidden things of dishonesty and, as a result, did not walk in craftiness.

PRAYER

Father, I pray for all deacons who serve in your house. May they be committed to you and discharge their roles to honour your name in Jesus’ name I have prayed.

FURTHER STUDIES.

2 Corinthians 4:2 ” But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God”.

1 Timothy 3:10. “And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless”.

THE DEACON

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KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 3:8 ” Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”

We continue looking at other services in the house of God. We consider deacons in this study. A deacon is defined as one who executes the command of another. Another meaning for a deacon is a servant or an attendant. Please note that no role played by anyone makes one more important or superior to another. For the sake of effective functioning and order in the body of Christ, God has instituted levels of honour. Each person must serve God and the people of God in humility and fear for God and love for God’s children.

In the book of Acts of the Apostles, chapter 6, there arose some controversies among the brethren concerning the sharing of food. The apostles decided that they would maintain their role in ministering the word of God and prayer, while others were to be chosen who would man the affairs of the food. (Acts 6:1-10). These men were the first deacons of the church.

In 1st Timothy 3:8-12 apostle, Paul made a list of the qualifications of a deacon. They were not very different from that of the elder or pastor. These qualifications talked about the character of the individual. I do not see any of the supernatural gifts being said here. Many people are very fascinated by the gifts of the Holy Spirit without taking time to let the fruit of the Spirit bear in their lives. Please note this; in every kind of service in the house of God, the pure or real servants are those who manifest or bear the fruit of the Spirit. There are cases of those who live sinful lives, yet the gifts manifest in their lives. If you are such a one, do not take that as God’s approval for your wrong ways. God, out of love for his children would allow the gift to manifest so his children who may be praying for healing would be healed, and those who need direction may receive a word of wisdom and have that direction they need.

Remember the story of Moses in Numbers 20:8. The Lord God asked Moses to speak to the rock, to give out water so the Lord’s name would be sanctified. Moses out of anger hit the rock. He did the wrong thing, yet water came. The Lord said to Him in Numbers 12:12 that because he did not obey His instruction, he would not go to the Promised Land.

Good godly character is the only criterion to have an acceptable ministry or service before the Lord. May every servant in God’s house take heed to these things.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I pray for all servants in your house, especially the deacons. May they understand your ways and yield themselves to you to serve you uprightly with no selfish motives.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Galatians 5:22-23 ” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”.

1 Timothy 3:11 ” Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things”.

MINISTERIAL GIFTS: THE TEACHER 2

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KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:8, 11 ” Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers”;

Great teachers are those who diligently search for the truth and practice what they teach. Ezra 7:10 reads “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach in Israel, statutes and judgements”. Somebody said talking is cheap. It is giving substance to what one says that gives the hearers something to hold and go by.

Ezra was a scribe (Ezra 7:6). This means he was a recorder of the biblical truths from Moses’ times. Ezra 7:10 says he prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and to do it and then teach it. The order is SEEK, DO, and TEACH. This should be the practice of every teacher of the Bible.

Our Lord Jesus is the greatest teacher of all times. He gave great insight into the word of God and also demonstrated what He taught. He culminated it by offering His body on the cross for all humanity. Please look at the following scripture from the Easy English Bible. James 3:1 “My Christian brothers not many of you should be teachers. God will judge everybody. But at that time he will demand more from teachers than he will demand from other people”. This is a very serious message to all who teach. The Lord is only telling teachers to do as they teach or say.

Ezra’s decision and action is what every teacher must do. Ezra prepared his heart. It is a heart preparation culminating in a decision to be obedient. Many people pray, asking the Lord to make them obey the scriptures. Well, this is one of the deceptions of the enemy. God would put His word in your heart. He may even stir your emotions, but decisions and actions are the sole responsibility of an individual. This is the reason God holds us accountable for our actions. “The decision always rests with us”.

Actions are always a result of conviction. One may hold information, a thought, or an idea, yet he or she may not be fully convicted about it. Conviction comes by persuasion. Persuasion is a product of continual reflection or meditation. It is very necessary that every teacher of the word takes time to meditate or reflect on what he or she may be studying as well as what he or she teaches. This would enable him to be a doer of what he teaches.

PRAYER

Father, once again, I pray for every teacher of your word. May the Holy Spirit stir in them a desire to know you personally and to yield totally to your word and ways.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Matthew 7:24-25. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock”.

James 1:25. “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed”.

MINISTERIAL GIFTS: THE TEACHER

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KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:8, 11 “Wherefore he saith, when he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers”.

We continue with our studies on the ministerial offices. This time, we look at the teacher. In all these discussions, I have tried to make it clear that none of these ministerial gifts is made in a classroom. The scripture said “He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men, and he gave some pastors and teachers. All these offices are divine gifts. Nobody makes himself one. Your availability and devotion to God would allow Him to place that gift on you.

Although none of these gifts is made in the classroom, schooling greatly polishes the gifts of God. One’s ability to present these truths clearly and understandably is all because of the training he obtained from school. Schooling, therefore, is very necessary, yet it is not schooling that makes anyone either an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a pastor, or a teacher.

A teacher happens to be placed at the tail end of the ministerial gifts, yet it is in no way the least. Please note this, a false teacher is more dangerous than a false prophet.

A prophet may deceive a person or group of people, while a wrong teacher will destroy generations. The teachings of Jehovah Witnesses about the Holy Spirit, blood transfusion, and the deity of our Lord Jesus have influenced and affected generations of people. Dying people have refused blood transfusions because of their teachings. Many of them died as a result of that.

Teaching is programming an individual or a group of people to think, and act in a particular way. It is a very important gift or office that God gives to men.

The Bible is the teaching material. Every teacher of the bible must know the scriptures exceedingly well. He must read the Bible very well. 2nd Timothy 2:15 says “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a Workman that need not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth”. The word study is not just telling you to read the scriptures. It is the Greek word “Spoudazo” and it means to be diligent, make haste, and exert one’s self. The teacher must be diligent in searching for the truths of the scripture. Many Bible teachers realise that after they have studied the scripture, the Holy Spirit keeps expounding on them even when they are not in their study times. The teacher receives a divine insight into the scriptures as the Spirit compares scripture with scripture.

Does the teacher function in any of the nine supernatural gifts of the Spirit? Yes, he may function in any of the gifts of the Spirit as he avails himself to the Lord in dedication and prayer. A diligent life of prayer is the simplest means for the Spirit to function freely in an individual. The teacher must communicate enough grace that would break satanic powers that hold the minds of people bound.

PRAYER

I pray for all teachers of the word of God to gain more insight into the word of God to bring out truths that would affect our world and the lives of many.

FURTHER STUDIES.
Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

1 Timothy 1:7” Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.