Church Ministries - 14 - The Word of God and Prayer.

Church Ministries the Word of God and Prayer

Acts 6:1-7 1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 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. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Acts 6

1. Principles. (Taught in Acts 6:1-7)

a. Difficulties for the Apostles. v.1 “multiplied…murmuring…neglected…ministration.”

i. They were limited.

1. We should realize we are limited as well.

ii. “Multiplied.”

1. Church growth brings with it new problems.

iii. “Murmuring.”

1. “Neglected.”

a. They had neglected people that they should have been helping “daily.”

b. MacArthur “In a congregation of that size, it was inevitable that someone’s needs would be overlooked.”

2. Complaints come when working in the ministry.

a. Many complaints are legitimate!

b. David Guzik – “Satan loves to use an unintentional wrong to begin a conflict. The Hebrews were right in their hearts, and the Hellenists were right in their facts. These were perfect conditions for a church-splitting conflict.”

c. But they didn’t say, “Hey, we’re Apostles… Don’t complain about us!”

d. They took the complaints went to biblical principles, and fixed their oversites!

e. They were humble.

iv. “Ministration.”

There was work to be done!

b. Delegation of Work. (v. 2-4)

i. “It is not reason that that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.”

1. The NASB translates that, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.”

2. A pastor should not have his time consumed in tasks that are essentially serving tables. Yet there is something wrong with a pastor who considers such work beneath him.

ii. “Pastors should not try, or be expected to try, to do everything. Instead, the work of the church should be spread out among its members.”

iii. Here’s the thing, we aren’t all going to be pastors (church leaders)…

But these principles show ALL of us what our;

2. Priorities (should be).

a. Life Application Bible Notes - “The apostles' priorities were correct. The ministry of the Word (and prayer (my own addition)) should never be neglected because of administrative burdens.”

b. If our vision/work load has gotten so big that we don’t have time to pray and read God’s Word… We are too busy!

c. Even the men that they got to “serve tables…” Ogilvie -“which speaks of the practical administration of the financial and practical details relevant to caring for the widows,” were to be “men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom…”

i. For them to be men full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, they would have had to be men that prayed and studied the Word!

d. Balance.

e. Let us talk about balancing the Word of God and Prayer.

i. John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you (word), ye shall ask what ye will (prayer), and it shall be done unto you.

ii. The outpouring of Acts chapter 2 was preceded by 10 days of prayer and followed by a Holy Ghost filled preacher proclaiming God’s word to Jerusalem!

iii. If all you have in the church is prayer and no Bible, you end up with lots of heat but no light, zeal without knowledge. But plenty of Bible without prayer gives you light without heat. – Page 82

iv. Bible knowledge without prayer has a way of puffing people up. 83

v. Like two wings carrying a bird in flight or two oars propelling a boat through the water, the Word of God and prayer keep us balanced and moving ahead. 85

vi. The better we understand God’s Word, the better we’re able to pray, the more we pray, the more the Holy Spirit can teach us from the Word and help us to obey it. 86

vii. Charles Spurgeon, “The Commentators are good instructors, but the Author Himself is far better, and prayer makes a direct appeal to Him and enlists Him in our cause.” 87

Receiving a Rhema Luke 5 _1-11

I preached this message a while ago, but I want to go through and talk about a word we can receive from God that comes from the Holy Spirit.

There are two primary Greek words that describe Scripture which are translated word in the New Testament. The first, Logos, refers principally to the total inspired Word of God and to Jesus, who is the living Logos. Jesus is the Living expression of God.

The following passages of Scripture give examples of the logos of God:

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The second is, Rhema, the Spoken Word; this word in the Greek refers to a word that is spoken and means “an utterance.”

Rhema – A Definition: That which is spoken, what is uttered in speech or writing. In the New Testament, the word rhema carries the idea of a quickened word.

For us, a rhema is a verse or portion of scripture that the Holy Ghost brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction.

Every word of God is inspired, and “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness II Timothy 3:16.”

It is the Holy Spirit Who illuminates particular Scriptures for application in a daily walk with the Lord.

The words of Jesus are significant on this point. Matthew 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word {rhema} that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”.

Jesus also stated, John 6:63 “the words {rhema} that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”.

Biblical Insight into Rhema’s;

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God.

Eph. 6:17...take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (rhema) of God:

You can know the whole word of God, but still get discouraged and defeated in every storm! But when you receive a “rhema” from God in the storm, it is what you FIGHT with!

ILLUSTRATION; We received a “rhema” from God June 14, 2018, about seasons, and knowing that each season has an end. We weren’t in the storm at the time, but before the week was over we were in it. If it wasn’t for that word…

More Biblical Examples of Rhema’s;

What you will Carry. Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

What will be your Calling. Luke 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

What will be Consistent. Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

How do I receive a rhema?

When we are reading God’s Word, we need to ask God to speak to us through His Word and give us insight into it. The Holy Ghost can bring passage to STAND OUT! Notice in the Bible that Rhema’s came from the Logos!

NO “WORD” (RHEMA) FROM GOD, WILL EVER GO AGAINST THE WORD (LOGOS) OF GOD!

Luke 5:1-11 1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

How might we Receive a Rhema?

i. Peter Esteemed God’s Word. (v. 3)

a. Peter put value on the spoken word of Jesus.

1. Obedience.

i. When it comes to God’s word – “don’t ask for more until you’ve cleaned your plate!”

ii. Peter Obeyed God’s Word. (v. 5)

iii. Peter Experienced God’s Word. (v. 6)

A Word from God Will;

i. Impact more than just You.

a. (v.5 – “I will” v.6 – “they” & “their” v.7 – “their”, “they”, “both”, v.10)

ii. Impart more than just Truth.

a. (v. 8 – “fell down”)

i. It will cause a change!

iii. Empower you more than ever before!

a. (v. 11 – “forsook all and followed…”)

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

“The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.” FB Meyer