~ Reney
3 Timothy 3:16 – Use of the scripture
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Malachi 2:7 – Responsibility of the Priest
“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.
- instead of God, God placed priests in this world – to pass the message of God
- In revelation, all letter states: “to the angels of the church…”
- Not a mediator but gives guidance & instruction
- The priest should have knowledge / understanding of the scripture
- Believers should also study the scriptures and question the priest
- Priest Duty: grow believers in their faith
Acts 6:2-3 – Allocating church responsibility
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
- Nowadays people are not stern about growth.
1: the number of people was increasing and (Acts 4) the disciples did a lot of charity work which led them to more responsibilities.
2: Always put God’s words first then charity. They were going down in ministry work, so the disciples took action and selected seven men who were:
3: “Full of spirit and wisdom”
4: and will give our attention to prayer and ministry of word
The priest spreads the word of God, believers to listen to the word of God (Satan knows this well)
Acts 16:17 Satan know Christian’s duty
“She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”
2 Timothy 2:1-9
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
4: No one serving as a soldier gets entangled with civilian affairs
5: Anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victory crown except by competing according to the rules:
- Sport has rules
- A church has rules
- Running a race: if you run on the wrong track you will lose your reward.
Eg. Daniel gave a letter to Yahab go five instructions to put Urihab at the front line of the battle:
- King gives direction
- You can not question the decision
Matthew 6:33 -What we ought to seek
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.“