Stewards of the Mysteries of God
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10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Title: Stewards of the Mysteries of God
The bible is a book of principle and parallels.
I know I talk about this a lot…
BUT this is like cheat-codes in a game - if you can figure out the principles and parallels you will win!
The parallels help you to make sense of the principles!
One of the great principles of the bible is stewardship.
Now this terminology is ofter mostly associated with the New Testament.
But when you study this, it’s one of the earliest principles of the Word of God.
First found in Genesis 1:28 - Adam and Eve is made stewards of all God’s creation!
In Genesis 2.15 they are made stewards of the Garden of Eden.
15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
The word KEEP = keep, watch or preserve, to plan and stay up at night working out problems and issues, worry over, observe, aid, support, protect, guard.
We get our word watchmen from this original word.
The idea and principle is that Adam and Eve were given the responsibility to protect and make plans for the Garden of Eden.
After they reject this principle, and disobey God they start a family.
With the family, the same principle applies: They were to be stewards of what they produced!
They were to keep, watch or preserve, to plan and stay up at night working out problems and issues, worry over, observe, aid, support, protect and guard Cain and Able.
The whole goal is to raise productive citizens… to give their children every growing responsibility because a day will come when they are on their own.
The judgement and reward of eternity will be their choice to make!
Parents are stewards of their children, teaching them to be stewards of themselves.
Look at Cain, this is where he failed!
He refused to be a steward of his brother!
9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
The word keeper of Gen4.9 and the word keep in Gen2.15 (dress and keep) are the same Hebrew words!
Keep (שׁמר - shomer)
Cain refused to keep, watch or preserve, to plan and stay up at night working out problems and issues, worry over, observe, aid, support, protect and guard Able.
Guess what?
We also, KEEP his commandments, his law, the Sabbath, his word, his mercy… Your heart, keep holy and the list goes on… same word - shomer, keep, watch or preserve, to plan and stay up at night working out problems and issues, worry over, observe, aid, support, protect and guard
Steward ship is one of the oldest principles of the Word of God!
Everything that God gives us we have to keep, watch or preserve, to plan and stay up at night working out problems and issues, worry over, observe, aid, support, protect and guard
Let put this in the context of the earliest example; a garden.
Just as Adam and Eve had to keep the garden, we have to keep the church!
We have to keep, watch or preserve, to plan and stay up at night working out problems and issues, worry over, observe, aid, support, protect and guard the church!
We can’t say as Cain, that’s not my responsibility!
We have teams of people working as we speak to look at everything we are doing and make sure we are keeping he garden!
We have to be good stewards of the manifold grace, stewards of the mysteries of God!
Here are some things that we are looking at right now.
Guest followup
Bro. and Sis. Shoemaker -
Absentee followup
Doorkeeper (ushers and hostesses)
Viewing everything from a guests point of view
Everyone on duty by 15 minutes before service
Guests are a priority
Should never be alone
What ever their needs are matter most
Parking - this front row left for guest!
Other needs
If you see trash that needs changing, CHANGE IT!
If you see empty paper towels dispensers, fill them!
If you see trash in the parking lot, pick it up! LOT CHECK ON THE WAY IN!
If there is trash on the floor, go get the vacuum and vacuum!
If you see dirty windows, clean them!
Don’t leave your drinks in the refrigerator!
Do your part to stop the chaos!
Don’t be selfish!
If a guest is here, you are my second priority… you have access to me at any time! I may only have a brief hand shake to reach someone!
VIEW THE GUESTS AS FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US TO KEEP, PROTECT, PLAN FOR THEIR FUTURE, GAURD!
Each has to be carefully inspected, have different needs,
Conclusion:
Sunday night Bishop started with some interesting statements.
Started by saying he wanted to talk to us about who we are and what God wants us to do…
BUT he didn’t get to it!
Chaos ensued
I asked him about it on the way to the airport and this is what he said: It’s up to you!
We can become a church that affects the world, or an average church depending on if you will TAKE OWNERSHIP!
11 things revival churches have
Prayer
Worship
Fellowship and CommUNITY
Apostolic doctrine
Apostolic ministry
Faith
Vision and Purpose
Altars - deal with our flesh
Love
Desire to do the will of God
Spirit of Sacrifice
Bishop Morgan: It’s really hard to build a church with undisciplined people…
Together, Balance, Intention
