Is Our Ministry a Spiritual Ministry?
#1
Posted 13 August 2012 - 11:07 AM
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#2
Posted 15 August 2012 - 03:39 PM
Great post. "Ministry" has increasingly come to mean something one does, rather than something one is. If we look at the life of Jesus, he would not qualify today in the minds of many of us as he simply "went about doing good." He had no earthly credentials to do what he did.
Interestingly, I recently received a video by email of Alistair Begg (haven't watched it yet-long!) speaking on what seems like a similar theme: "Inadequacy: The Suprising Secret to Being Useful to God." Sounds like Ian Thomas.
- Thinker likes this
#3
Posted 16 August 2012 - 06:08 AM
#4
Posted 17 August 2012 - 01:13 PM
Our part is t follow His leading (John 16:13 shows us where He is leading). "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth...."
DO you think it is possible that the context is for those apostles to whom Jesus is speaking? I wonder because it is before HIS crucifixion and they were told in v. 13 c Jesus says "He will tell you things to come". In other words, the church's mission, etc.? I don't know that God is telling me things to come, so in this specific context, is it not different? Then, in v. 15 He says "...He will take of Mine and declare it to you." Isn't He speaking on what's to come immediately for those followers and not ourselves? I don't know. Sometimes I don't know what applied just to them and what applies to us over 2,000 years later.
Good insight from you. Candice
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#5
Posted 18 August 2012 - 11:38 AM
#6
Posted 18 August 2012 - 11:52 AM
Yes, I agree with you! Amen and amen! Candice
#7
Posted 21 August 2012 - 09:49 AM
Dear Thinker,
Our part is t follow His leading (John 16:13 shows us where He is leading). "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth...."
DO you think it is possible that the context is for those apostles to whom Jesus is speaking? I wonder because it is before HIS crucifixion and they were told in v. 13 c Jesus says "He will tell you things to come". In other words, the church's mission, etc.? I don't know that God is telling me things to come, so in this specific context, is it not different? Then, in v. 15 He says "...He will take of Mine and declare it to you." Isn't He speaking on what's to come immediately for those followers and not ourselves? I don't know. Sometimes I don't know what applied just to them and what applies to us over 2,000 years later.
Good insight from you. Candice
Candice,
Good question. I think of it this way. If we de-emphasize the idea of "only the Apostles" and the "things" specific to them that Jesus was inferring, then we are left with the Spirit of Truth. He is the same today as He was then. I believe the main point of this passage is, Jesus in effect, saying, "I am leaving, but my Spirit is coming and He will tell you what you need to know." The big question appears to be, Who is the "you"? Us, them, or all Christians? The point I am getting at is, possibly the context is speaking of initially to the Apostles, but every believer in the present age still needs the leading and guidance of the Spirit. Contrary (IMO) to the thinking of some that imply because we now have the scriptures, we don't need the Spirit's teaching, I ask, At what point did the church not need His direction? Even the scriptures cannot be really understood with the natural mind.
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