Used In God's Service

This lesson text follows the lesson text of last Sunday's Sunday School lesson. The  subject was "Equipped with God's gifts", today's subject is, "Used in God's service".  The changing of the subject within the chapter is not a call to change our perspective as it must hold true through the chapter.  Therefore, a careful reading of our lesson text is necessary so as that we will not miss the intent of the writer.   Paul is addressing an ugly problem that had reared it head among the Corinthians and the newly formed churches at large.   We must note that the problem within the assembly did not go away after being that addressed by Paul in such an eloquent manner.  There was, and is a type of confusion that grew and continue to grow within the household of faith, often it is based upon the ability or lack of ability of members within the assembly. 

In many assemblies, there are those who have set themselves up as "bosses" of the church.  They have claimed authority in all aspects of the assembly without regard to the gifts or talents of others.  "My way or the highway", has become the gold standard of how things are done in many organized community churches.  A dichotomy emerges because a church organized outside of the community, will have a problem responding to the problems of the community. Today's lesson is stressing that a perfect body consist of many members functioning in harmony.  Imagine the discord, the trauma, the brain tells the hand to pick up and object,  the hand touches the object and respond, "it too hot!"  the brain respond, "I am the brain I said pick it up."

When Jesus addressed the  Church in Revelation chapter two and three he exhibited a type of concern about those who claimed to possess a type of leadership skill, and had been allowed to organize and rule over his church. As the chief Sheppard of the flock, it was his intent that all work together for the edification of all, as one body.  The concept of, follow me as I follow Christ, or the edification of absent rulers, while the assembly suffers can be viewed as a product of religion indoctrination that is truly not scripturally supported.

1 Corinthians 12:12-16  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.   For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

1 Corinthians 12:21-22  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

Imagine the brain trying to negotiate a path of egress out of a burning building without consulting the eye for sensor input.  What if the feet revolted and refused to recognise the commands of the head.   These analogies make for a pitiful existence.   The oracles of God as spoken by Jesus, Paul and Peter is presented within the Holy Scripture.  When these type of attributes exists within the household of faith, the assembly suffers from what Jesus defined as, a house divided against or within itself.  

1 Peter 4:9-11  Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 

The key word in this verse is hospitality, without grudging. Greek, "without murmurs;" that is, without complaining of the hardship of doing it; of the time, and expense, and trouble required in doing it. The idea of grudging, in the common sense of that word--that is, of doing it unwillingly, or regretting the expense, and considering it as ill-bestowed, or as not producing an equivalent of any kind--is not exactly the idea here. It is that we are to do it without murmuring or complaining. It greatly enhances the value of hospitality, that it be done On our part with entire cheerfulness. One of the duties involved in it is to make a guest, member or friend  happy, and this can be done in no other way than by showing him that he is welcome

1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

As every man hath received the gift. The word rendered the gift, (carisma,) in the Greek, without the article, means endowment of any kind, but especially that conferred by the Holy Spirit. Here it seems to refer to every kind of endowment by which we can do good to others; especially every kind of qualification furnished by Christianity by which we can help others. It does not refer here particularly to the ministry of the word--though it is applicable to that and includes that--but to all the gifts and graces by which we can contribute to the welfare of others. All this is regarded as a gift, or charisma, of God. It is not owing to ourselves but is to be traced to The Christ. 

Even so minister the same one to another, in anything by which you can benefit another. Regard what you have and they have not as a gift bestowed upon you by God for the common good, and be ready to impart it as the wants of others require. The word minister here refers to any kind of ministering, whether by counsel, by advice, by the supply of the wants of the poor, or by preaching. It has here no reference to any one of these exclusively; but means, that in whatever God has favoured us more than others, we should be ready to minister to their wants. See 2nd Timothy 1:18; 2nd Corinthians 3:3; 8:19-20.

As good stewards. Regarding yourselves as the mere stewards of God or shepherds; that is, as appointed by him to do this work for him, and entrusted by him with what is needful to benefit others. He intends to do them well, but he means to do it through your instrumentality and has entrusted to you as a steward what he designed to confer on them. This is the true idea, in respect to any special endowments of talent, property, or grace, which we may have received from God.  1st Corinthians 4:1.


Of the manifold grace of God. The grace or favor of God evinced in many ways, or by a variety of gifts. His favors are not confined to one single thing; as, for example, to talent for doing good by preaching; but are extended to many things by which we may do good to influence, property, reputation, wisdom, experience. All these are to be regarded as his gifts; all to be employed in doing good to others as we have the opportunity through the spirit of unity.

1 Peter 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

If any man speak. As a preacher, referring here particularly to the office of the ministry.  Let him speak as the oracles of God. As the oracles of God speak; to wit, in accordance with the truth which God has revealed, and with an impressive sense of the responsibility of delivering a message from him. The word rendered oracles, (logia) means, properly, something spoken or uttered; then anything uttered by God--a Divine communication--a revelation, 

If any man minister. (diakonei). This may refer either, so far as the word is concerned, to the office of a deacon, or to any service which one renders to another. The word commonly refers to service in general; to attendance on another, or to aid rendered to another; to the distribution of alms, etc. It seems probable that the word here does not refer to the office of a deacon as such, because the peculiarity of that office was to take charge of the poor of the church, and of the funds provided for them, (Acts 6:2-3;) but the apostle here says that they to whom he referred should "minister as of the ability which God giveth," which seems to imply that it was rather to distribute what was their own, than what was committed to them by the church. The word may refer to any aid which we render to others in the church, as distributing alms, attending on the sick, etc.  

As of the ability which God giveth. In regard to property, talent, strength, influence, etc. This is the limit of all obligation, No one is bound to go beyond his ability; everyone is required to come up to it. 

That God in all things may be glorified. That he may be honored; to wit, by our doing all the good we can to others, and thus showing the power of his religion. 

Through Jesus Christ. That is, as the medium through whom all those holy influences come by which God is honoured.


To whom. That is, to God; for he is the main subject of the sentence. The apostle says that in all things lie is to be glorified by us, and then adds in this doxology that he is worthy to be thus honored. Many, however, suppose that the reference here is to the Son of God. That it would be true of him, and appropriate.

Are you Alone On The Isle of Patmos?

Revelation 1:9-10  I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Throughout the holiday season leading up top the New Year, conversations, social media status, and preached messages have been inundated with hopes and expectations for the coming year.  Many are glorying in the success of their hard labor and their expectations, which is a light to many but a stumbling block to some.  Many non-definitive statement such as, I am expecting God to do great things for me this year", is the crust of many well-prepared messages. These type of messages resonate well with a majority within an assembly,  and for that reason, they are popular during any season. But, there are those who like John who is exiled on their own Isle of Patmos, and because of circumstances in their lives are forced to look at things differently. 

To some, the New Year will always remind them of the lost of a love one, to other it will remind them of their battle with a type of sickness.  Sickness, death or separations are some of the types of tribulation that we must endure.  There is a false rendering of Deuteronomy 7:15 that teaches that sickness separates the righteous from the unrighteous and trials and tribulations is not in accordance with God's plan. John was aware of the tribulation the church was facing, therefore he identified himself as, "your brother, and companion in tribulation".  The strangeness of John's writing was that nowhere in his message did he proclaim, "God is going to do great things 'FOR' me", therefore, because of his attitude, God was able to do a great thing through him.  The wording of Revelation 1:10 seems to indicate that John was praising God in or regardless of his tribulation and waiting for a message, not an act of deliverance.  

I often find myself wondering why do we have such a 'high expectation' of God. Why is it necessary for God to be always active and doing things to make our life here on earth better?  True, in the Old Testament we have God delivering the Children of Israel, we have the stories of the three Hebrew boys and even Daniel in the lions den, just to name a few.  We can easily end up with a testimony of God is a deliverer.   As we emerge into the New Testament the deliverance of God seems to diminish. Jesus and the New Testament writers began to speak of enduring hardship as if were a virtue.  Mark 4:17  And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.  Paul encouraged Timothy to endure.  2 Timothy 2:3  Thou, therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 

For a moment of study, I invite you to take a step backward, shift your perspective.  Compare how 'God, in the capacity of the Father' dealt with Moses and the Children of Israel.  He actively fought battles for them.  Now consider how 'God in the capacity of the Son' dealt with his twelve Apostles, even Paul and many others that followed him.  He allowed them, even himself to be delivered up and prosecuted   It is clear, under the dispensation of the Law, God operating in the capacity of 'God the Father' was the protector of his earthly Children. Their mission was to establish 'The Kingdom of God' or the Promise land here on earth.  Failing to carry out the mandate of God, a divorce action, and scattering of his people was implemented.  When the dispensation of the Law came to an end it was the dispensation of Grace that followed.  Even under the presumption of Grace, God protected his Son from Herod the King.  Once, 'God the Son' declared "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand", persecution began to intensify.   John the forerunner of Christ did not live to see a ripe old age. 

The early Christians profound belief in the Kingdom of Heaven did not allow them to place the same value on this earthly life as we do today.  Consider the antic of Stephen, (Acts 7:54-60), rather than reverse his stance or toning down his rhetoric he seems to choose to incite the mob to act.  In the early days, even the Church ordained by Christ suffered intense persecution.  Matthew 21:35  And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.  It was only after the church laid aside the mandates of Christ and polluted the Gospel was it able to boast of its great blessings (Revelation 3: 14-22).

  

The transformation of the Bible into a study guide to enhance world economy, rather than a spiritual economy is causing many to turn away from God.  The conversion of the church into a place to attract people to come and have a good time is merely a technique used to promote and enhance an emotional experience.  The ordained church has entered into the entertainment business, spiritual guidance that Jesus offered to his church in Revelation 1-3 is no longer fashionable, it is out of date.   Like the crowd that assembles to view the football game, the cheers go up, and we walk away with and emotional high that might sustain us till the next big game.  As a parent and grandparent, I attended quite a number of football games.  I was a fixture in the bleachers because it was something expected of me.  The truth remains, at the end of the day I was one of those in my age bracket who didn't understand the game.

The entertainment field is flourishing, it is a high paying profession.  Men and women enter the arena and draw out a following through words that resonate and high energy performances.   The antic of humanity is not lost on the organized church has begun a process of assimilation and emulation.  Where is the spiritual value? But I, like the Apostle Paul, and many of us, we are aware that we adrift upon a turbulence sea, and our deliverance will only further  our persecution, our tribulation.   Like John, the Apostle, we have been cast upon our own Isle of Patmos and the message that Jesus is sending is not a message of sunshine and favors. Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Verse 9. I John, who also am your brother. Your Christian brother; who am a fellow-Christian with you. The reference here is doubtless to the members of the seven churches in Asia, to whom the epistles in the following chapters were addressed, and to whom the whole book seems to have been sent. In the previous verse, the writer had closed the salutation, and he here commences a description of the Circumstances under which the vision appeared to him. He was in a lonely island, to which he had been banished on account of his attachment to religion; he was in a state of high spiritual enjoyment on the day devoted to the sacred remembrance of the Redeemer; he suddenly heard a voice behind him, and turning saw the Son of man himself in glorious form in the midst of seven golden lamps, and fell at his feet as dead.

And companion in tribulation. Your partner in affliction. That is, he and they were suffering substantially the same kind of trials on account of their religion. It is evident from this, that some form of persecution was then raging in which they were also sufferers though in their case it did not lead to banishment. The leader, the apostle, the aged and influential preacher, was banished; but there were many other forms of trial which they might be called to endure who remained at home. 

In the first three chapters of Revelation, Jesus is sending a profound message to his church.  These letters are often cast aside or invalidated as being dated and of no value to today's church.   Yet we do not hesitate to surgically remove segments of scripture from the Old Testament and present them as a message to the church.  Thus, we have a beautiful and highly motivational message  of the church standing on the banks of the Red Sea, and the message is "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.   We can shout on that.  But Jesus is saying something different.  Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.  Revelation 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Random Thoughts of A Testimony.

A post circulated on the social media told the story of a little girl witnessing her father killing her mother then turning the gun on himself, as she sits behind the couch crying.  The police came and took the little to a new family member, afterward, she went to her first Sunday School at church.  She walks into the building and saw a picture of Jesus on the cross. In Sunday School, the little girl ask the teacher, "how did that man get off the cross?"  The teacher replied, "He never did."  The little girl argued, "Yes he did.  Because the night that my mommy and daddy died, he sat next to me behind the couch telling me everything was going to be alright. 

A simple story posted on the social media can provide many of us with a deeper understanding of God's love and how it is manifested towards us.  That same story also provided fuel for the detractors, who responded with, "if Jesus was present when the little girl lost her mother and father, why didn't he stop the killing?" The indoctrination of Christianity has digressed from the days of John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul to the days of Moses and the Children of Israel. This was a time when God actively fought for his chosen people.  Failure to understand ages and dispensations of the Holy Scripture have tainted our ability to interpret or understand the Word of God.  How often do we pray for peace in the world, when Jesus said, "there will be wars and rumors of wars" (Mark 13:7).  We are comfortable with the ideology that contrary to what is taking place all around us, God is just standing by to make things come out right regardless of what we do.  When the drunk driver causes an accident that kills an entire family, we are tempted to ask, Where was God?"

It's about the sellability of God and the attraction of follower.  It becomes easy when God is presented as a lawyer in a courtroom or a doctor in a sick room. The use of certain phrases in a sermon or message can bring an assembly to and emotional climax that is defined as the spirit of God.  If God were presented as a God who was standing by while the storm or chaos erupted around us, church attendance and the offering take would suffer. To facilitate the feel good moments we have prophets, preachers and  ministers offering healings and financial blessings.  Too many sermons of today are motivational messages that have little to do with salvation or the Kingdom of God.  Emphasis is placed upon living in God's favor which is defined as worldly richness and glory.  Going to church is the place to go looking for the blessing.  Is going to church nowaday akin to going to a football game or night club, where the word "party" or "touchdown"  is our cue to 'just let go'? 

When sickness, death or the fear death invades our structured  world we tend to draw closer to God through prayer.  We do not hesitate to invoke the healing virtues of God or even rebuke the hand of death.  Yet, it does  not seem to matter how much we try even the most righteous among us are touched by sickness and death.  Miracles and blessing are our mainstays and they are the drawing force behind a successful assembly.  We cannot entertain the question of what God is not doing because we have the scriptures to support our belief of what he is doing or promise to do.  James 5:14-15  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Did we overlook or miss something in the translation and interpretation?

When I was informed of a needed surgical procedure and the level of expected success for the given procedure, I turned to prayer as my source of support.  I entreated those whom I felt was close to God to join me in prayer.  Leading up to the surgery my faith grew stronger and stronger as I began to believe that God was going to touch and heal me.   Durning many of my prayer sessions I even tried to visualize the finger of God  touching me.  Test after test showed a deterioration in my status and the day of my surgery drew near.  As the spirit of desperation began to set in I began to cry out to God, begging him to just speak to me.  My prayers turned from "Lord heal me" to "Lord speak to me".  In the midst of my crying, in the midst of my tears, God was silent.  The silence of God was something I was not prepared for,  after hearing so many others testify of how God spoke to them.  Yet, in my condition, I am praying but why is God not talking to me?  

We are often condemned by sickness or diseases entering our body.  This teaching is based upon a pronouncement made unto the children of Israel. Exodus 15:26  And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt gives ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.   When we combine that with 2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  Thus, we have the scenario of a righteous people praying, free of sickness living in a land that flowing with milk and honey, (figuratively speaking).  Condemnation and confusion abound when we take verses out of their context, presenting them as complete thoughts, without regard to who is talking, what is being address and who is being spoken to.  

Late one night, in the midst of my pain and suffering, whether it was real or in my mind, I know not, I saw Jesus sitting at my bedside, I think he was smiling, but he was silent.  Awaking from my vision or dream, I understood the words of David.  Psalms 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  On the morning of my surgery, while the nurses prepped me for my procedure, I closed my eyes and reflected not on what I wanted God to do, but being a part of the Kingdom of God.  The prick of the needle in my arm caused me to open my eyes.  To my right where the nurse was standing I saw a representation of a metaphysical being (colorless) that I shall refer to as the Christ sitting beside my bed silently watching, but smiling. The nurse said, now I want you to count backward from one hundred.  

Believing once was simple, we believed because we were taught to believe. It was not a question of what we could prove.  The knowledge of good and evil is powerful and dangerous. It is the thirst for this knowledge that led Eve and Adam down the road of disobedient.    Why do I believe in the God of the Hebrew Bible?  Even stating the question in that manner may not be explicit enough.  There are those who proclaim that there are many gods, but the Holy Bible proclaim that there is only one God. The question would be appropriate, I suppose if I asked, why do we believe as we do?  In Bible study groups we are encouraged to get into the Word and study.  I pose the question, is this enough to foster a firm belief in God.  If our belief is fostered thru Indoctrination, then our belief will often suffer when the method of indoctrination is exposed to the light of day.   How often do we encounter Bible teachers that teach a different ideology or concept of the scripture than the one we have been exposed to? 

How many times in bible study or a sermon have you been asked a rhetorical question and even after focusing on the correct answer, a type of questioning still existed?  You were like the disciple Thomas, you were a follower, but there were questions you needed answers to (John 20:24-29).   John 20:25  The other disciples, therefore, said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.  Cliches and soundbite were not enough to quell his inquisitive spirit. What Thomas needed was a personal contact with the Christ.   The purpose of the assembly, the purpose of the Word of God should lead one to a personal contact, not a type of relationship where you do what I say and everything will be all right.  

In a church service designed to  teach the believability in God, a selected list of questions were asked.   How many of you believe that God can do anything but fail?  Do you believe God Can put money in your bank account? Do you believe that God can give you a brand new car?  In a group setting, the self-adulation that follows is faith building to some, but a stumbling block to many.   Often, to entice the crowd to follow, miracles and blessing are  often promised.  It becomes a simple pronouncement, God is going to do these things for you, all you got to do is believe.   Here again, the predicament of Thomas manifest itself and is there one to guide us

My first encounter with the Christ, whether I was in the body or out I don't know, but it is my belief that I was out of the body.   The events that took place is referred by me in my writings as, "Two Hours at The Gates of Hell."  In that encounter, I learned of the separation of the three entities of man, the soul, the spirit and the body.   When the spirit and soul depart the body, the body dies, once the body dies the spirit is next, but the soul never dies.   the true meaning of Mercy in the face of Judgement.

It's Christmas

Yes, it is the Christmas season, a season that will be celebrated by the buying and giving of gifts.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday will resound through the land,  yet many are succumbing to the politically correct ideology of suppressing the use of the word Christmas.    Still, many of us who will look upon this season with a type of sadness because of the celebration that is going on around us tends to amplify our loneliness.  Between the shopping, the gift giving, and the acclamation of merry and happy, the true meaning of the season seems to have been cast aside.   Christmas once was and should be a celebration of The Christ  child's birth and his gift to us, a plan whereby we all can become a part of his kingdom.   The three wise men travel from afar to join in the celebration of his birth along with the Holy Angels.  Their bringing of gifts and worshiping the Holy Child should be an inclination and establishment of guidelines to celebrate the birth of our Savior. 

The sorrow that emulate throughout the land during this Christmas season is somewhat amplified by the transforming of the Word of God into a Gospel supportive of a worldly economy rather than a spiritual inheritance.  This presentation is beginning to lose it luster with the emerging generation, as men of skill  seek to maintain its hold on its indoctrinated core.  The true Christian rhetoric is becoming unpopular as each facet of the Christian experience  is reshaped and redefined to merge into a politically correct society.  This type of shaping of the Gospel has turned many congregations into a Laodicea cesspool. The ancient values that once defined Christianity today are easily discarded   as foreign and untested ideologies are adopted.   The interpretation of the Word of God is often left to the whim of the charlatan priest whose honorariums rival that of the Christ, and their motive and objective is suspect at best.

As our knowledge of good and evil increases, we are no longer comfortable with a passive God.  A passive God would seem so out of place as we engage in our daily affairs.  Our Christian journey has become like driving down a segment of a highway looking for the road crew, maybe we should be comfortable with the work that has already been done.  We are constantly searching for and begging for that extraordinary gift from God.   It is not what we have got from God, but what we want from God that has become the focus of our attention.  Imagine telling God, "Father, you have done enough for me, now I just want to see how much I can do for you."  Rather, we are encouraged to stand in line with uplifted hands pleading for the earthly blessing while the fruit of the spirit goes lacking. 

Christmas is a season celebrated by giving,  It is also a season when those who cannot afford to give suffer from severe depression and their self-worth is called into question.  Many Christmas gifts are judged by the price tag, and their acceptance or rejection is based upon the cost of the gift received.  Again, consider the three wise men, they came to the Christ child bearing gifts, not looking for gifts.  There is no hesitation in thanking God, but it usually it when we assume that we have received a special favor from God. 

Christmas is a time for family.  Christmas not only brings out the best in many of us, it also brings out the worst in some. Strained relationships are often left strained or strained even further.  Families that often consist of a high number of ministers will use the Word of God to divide the families even further. Durning the Christmas season the crime rate within the family has been known to increase.  Families are reminded of the distance that they are separated emotionally and physically, this realization has been known to cause un-reversal trauma.   Yet, Christmas should be at time for healing of the family, the community, and the church.

Christmas is a time of confusion. Some claim it is a pagan holiday and should not be celebrated by Christians.   Every aspect of the celebration is subjected to intense scrutiny. The date, the yule log to the Christmas tree, the stigma of Paganism is attached.   Yet, in an apostate and politically correct society the commercialization of gift giving get a free pass. For the first 300 years of Christianity Christmas was not celebrated on December 25.  Western Christians first celebrated Christmas on December 25 in 336, after Emperor Constantine had declared Christianity the empire's favored religion.  Eastern churches, however, held on to January 6 as the date for Christ's birthday and Baptism.  From that time forward Christian churches throughout the world began to define how they would celebrate the birth of Christ.  

Because of the Roman association with December 25 celebration, pagan customs became associated with Christmas. Christian stories replaced the heathen tales, but the practices hung on. Candles continued to be lit. Kissing under the mistletoe remained common in Scandinavian countries. But over the years, gift exchanges became connected with the name of St. Nicholas, a real but legendary figure of 4th century Lycia (a province of Asia). A charitable man, he threw gifts into homes.  Thus evolved the legion of Santa Claus until modern day Christians decided that the spirit of Santa was a lie because it was not mentioned in the Bible.   A point of confusion always emerge from this type of rationalizing, try as I may I find no reference to computers in the Holy Scripture. 

Durning this Holiday or Christmas season, (the use of both words was used on purpose.) there is an endless stream of messages in the media proclaiming the evils of Christmas.  In a diverse society, we are attempting to lay aside the things that separate our religion from the others.   The sacred entities of the Holy Scripture now longer hold a special place in our society, as each aspect of Christianity is questioned by its detractors.  As knowledge increases the fear of God decreased.  Santa Claus head long ago has been placed on the chopping block, but his tattered body was never laid to rest. It seems as if there are those who are craving for attention will forever drag his limp lifeless body through the streets as no God-fearing Christian would dare teach, "Santa Claus is coming." The desecration of the spiritual aspect of Santa Claus paved the way for a modernist society to bring the spiritual aspects of the son of God to the same chopping block.   Now some are beginning to wonder why the message of Christ, Christmas and Christianity continue to change, and the more we improve on the message our believability suffers.  

Abusing The Role of Leadership Part #4 of 4

Leadership Within The Church

The mantle of leadership, synonymous with a role, burden, onus, duty, and responsibility is a prized possession.  Elisha was desirous  of Elijah's mantle. When Elijah was translated leaving his mantle behind, he claimed the mantle and the powers he assumed it possessed.  The title or mantle of leadership are sought after by some, created by some, and to other it is simply awarded.  Whether performing on the world stage, operating within the home or community, many are often cast in the role as a leader.  Often, the direction of which the leaders is leading is never called into question as long as they operate within the spectrum of our ideology of what a leader should be.  The emergence of leaders take many different forms, some are created, some are appointed and some simply step forward without citations and proclaim,  "I am your leader."  Most of us are comfortable operating within a recluse state while many yearn for the ovulation of the crowd, the bright lights of fame and stardom that comes with being a leader.  An interesting side note, God called and ordained Moses as a leader, still there were those who defied his leadership role and those who sought to usurped his role. 

In the leadership role within the church, "Follow me as I follow Christ", once was the only citation needed as men and women sought to emulate the role of a Sheppard, a follower of Christ.  The pride of power has emerged and corrupted the leadership role within the nation, the states, the community, the home, the schools, and church.  The power to act because we can, the same as the power derived from a gun is intoxicating.  Now, as a writer I have done the unthinkable, I have cast an association between power and leadership.  Is power a necessary element of leadership?  As a Christian I am not speaking of power over demons, I am addressing the power exercised over the sheep of God's pasture.  

It is hard to escape the grim pronunciations within the scripture, Isaiah 9:16  For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.  Matthew 15:14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.  Revelation 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Revelation 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Based upon the letters from Jesus to his church, the church should serve as the cornerstone of His ministry.  Yet, the church has embarked upon a journey that has become obsessed with pomp, power, leaders, idolatry, contradictions and the messages have become emerging paradoxes and cute cliches that are not scripturally supported. Mark 9:50  Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.This is not a personal condemnation, rather it is a condemnation issued by Jesus and reaffirmed in Revelation chapter 1-3.  Jesus final message to the church of the Laodiceans was a message of disdain.  At the close of his letter, the message  was no longer addressed to the church but to the individual (He). Revelation 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  This is no longer a message to an assembly by to an individual. 

At the close of this series, the question still remain, how do we reconcile the passionate speech made by Jesus to Peter concerning the church and his disdain for the leadership roles within the church revealed to John?  Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Revelation 3:15-16  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. If we were to try to reconcile the differences between Jesus statement to Peter and his revelation to John, there would be  a time period and the fulfillment of a prophecy that we are not prepared to accept.  I urge you to ponder that statement as you search for the answer.

Jesus addressed this problem in the much-overlooked letters to the church. Revelation 2:18-19, And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira writes; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;  I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. The seven letters to the seven churches are representative  churches, indicated by the use of the number seven, God's number of completion.  The seven messages are divided into two groups.  The first three churches make up one group, and the last four describe the Church minutely until the Rapture take place.   The church at Thyatira represent the years between 500 and 1500 A.D. 

The first division within Christendom came in 1054 with what is called the "Great Schism" between the Western Church and the Eastern Church. From that point forward, there were two large branches of Christianity, which came to be known as the Catholic Church (in the West) and the Orthodox Church (in the East). The root cause of this split was a power play, men were at odds over who should rule over the huge and increasing number of believers.  Prior to that time leading up to that infamous date the church had existed as a unified body. Once this split was introduced into the body, the church became a divided and weak body.  Splits or "Schism" became a way of building churches and establishing power bases.

The message to the assembly at Thyatira presents the hopeless, corrupt condition of the local assembly, a condition which the local cannot and will not emerge, a condition that is incapable of being improved.  The message here is to be distinguished from the three previous messages in that here corrupt teachers are permitted to teach corruption, and children are born, her children, the children of the splits, the children of wicked, adulterous, murderous Jezebel. What a terrible commentary on the local assembly.  


Another thing to be noted here is that a remnant is recognized and addressed separately; Revelation 2:24  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. Could it be that this remnant is not a part of that existing church, but is a part of that group referenced by John in Revelation 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  This group is said to have gone through great tribulation.  Many bible students proclaim that the true church will not go through the great tribulation.  This is a question that many of us are struggling to find and acceptable answer.  Here again, there is a need to ponder or study this.

In the days leading up to 1054AD, the church was a place where the members of the body of Christ would assemble and offered their support to each other.  A real spirit of discernment allowed them to see the needs of their brothers and sisters.  The words of consultation were not, "God is going to work this out", but rather, "I see your need, I see your pain, what can I do to help?". After that infamous date in the history of Christian ministry, the professed body has become obsessed with the pomp and circumstance, the power, the programs, the money raising, the building of beautiful church and honoring the pastor. Where is that ministry that focuses of the sick, the aged, the dying and the poor?  In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said, "...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch, as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye, have done it unto me".  

What is it that suppose to set the assembly of the bride of Christ apart from the Rock concert or even the football game?  In each event, is it not true, we pay our money to be entertained. We may be in a position where we cannot fully understand the words of the song or the message, we may not be able to see the play made by our team, yet we are entertained.  Our level of entertainment is not based entirely upon the words of the song or whether our team win or loose, these are merely props used to heighten our level of entertainment.  We create heroes, stars, and leaders, and we are comfortable with paying them enormous sums of money and entrusting them with our entertainment.  Thus, worship service has evolved into a form of entertainment where we assemble to be entertained by paid performers. 
    
Jesus set the perfect example of Christian ministry when a massive crowd followed him into the desert.  There is nothing in the narrative that support The disciple passing the plate asking the people to sow into the budding ministry of Christ.  After he had preached to them the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, he became concern about their natural condition.  He said to his disciples, "...Give ye them to eat...", Luke 9:13.  As a servant of the people whom he often portrayed himself as, he fed the multitude both natural and spiritually.  There were no thousand dollar plates either, they all sat down and ate together.  As the Son of God wouldn't it have been more appropriate to say, "Sow a seed and your heavenly Father will bless you."

Messengers of today use the airways and canvas churches  drawing out those who are disenchanted, offering them a worldly gospel filled with promises of blessings, miracles, and prosperities, many are quick to follow.   Imagine the followers Jesus could have amassed if he had promised a fish and bread on every table.  

There is a problem emulating from the household of faith.  To see this problem one must be willing to remove the blinders from their eyes, look beyond their indoctrinated belief and gaze at the problem. Questions must be asked and answers must be sought after.  There is a generation under-represented in the organized church.  Why is this growing phenomenal casting a pale light on the Word of God.  Why are our leaders reshaping the Word of God to conform to the apostate condition of the world?  Why are we promised money in the social media if we type "Amen"?  Why is the name of God and his works trivialized by our so called leaders?  Why has the promise of financial blessing overshadowed the promise of spiritual blessing?  Thes are questions that we should seek to answer. 

There is a difference between giving expecting to receive a reward from God in exchange for you gift.  or man.  Giving should be an outpouring of our heart and resources without any expectation of reward, simply because it is ordained by God.  A relationship with God is not about sowing seeds.  Matthew 13:37-38  He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

The Bear In The Woods

The pretext of a message posted on the social media said, "Don't pray for me...", evoked a sorted response from my readers that I am still searching for the proper response.  To set the stage for a message of pray during the Holiday season I alluded to a medical condition.  Many did not get past the first sentence thereby missing the entire message. Many messages are presented in this manner, even scripture messages.  A pretext is presented to grab your attention, then the message follows.  John 3:16 is a classic example.  

In a Bible study, the theme was John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  The primary focus of the lesson was the love of God. Based upon the supporting text this verse was not used to show Nicodemus that God loved him.  "For God so loved the world" is the pretext to a greater message, a message that proclaim "whosoever believeth in him should not perish".  The verses that proceed this verse and the verses that follow Jesus is explaining to Nicodemus the plan of salvation offered to those that believe and is born again. This very verse, often in a perverted fashion is separated from its supporting verses and is used to show God love me and he wants me to be happy. 

Understanding a message even biblical scripture is based upon perspective which guides our preception. Without the proper perspective which helps determines the context, we have Jesus advising a would-be follower, "let the dead bury the dead". or telling his disciples they must eat his flesh and drink his blood.  A conversation about being born again in order to enter the kingdom of God must remain in the context of the stated conversation.   Jesus did not speak in an incoherent or rambling manner.  If we fail to get the message then we should ask for clarification.

Perspective is fluid, the view of an object from a hilltop is different from a view of the same object in a valley.  Therefore, our perception is based upon our perspective.  Not long ago while walking in the woods, I took a picture of a peaceful wooded scene.   Uploading the picture to the internet, I caption it with, "Can you see the bear?"  There were those who saw the bear, there were those who said, I said, "I saw a bear".  Still, there existed two more extreme groups, one said, "there is no bear in the picture', and another group who insisted of organizing a bear hunt. 

A proper study of the scripture should always begin with a plea to "our father" to open up our understanding.  Care must be taken when we make this type of prayer, as often the Devil, a supernatural or metaphysical being,  possesses the capabilities of hearing our prayer and in many cases will be the first to answer. We must not become jaded in our Christian walk and  assume every revelation is of God. The Devil minics God.  Let's validate this assessment.  When Peter was in Jail the angel of the Lord came unto him, and a light shined in the prison (Acts 12:7).  This event did not escape the Devil's attention. 2nd Corinthians 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Knowing this Paul also warned in Ephesians 6:13, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."  The armor of God will allow us to test the spirits.  1st John 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  If the message is a message of reconciliation, a message that brings together the household of faith, a  message that heals the wound of those who are suffering then, among other things, then we can be assured that is a message from God.

Too often the Word of God is used to create a division that is contrary to the teaching of Christ.  Mark 3:24  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  Acts 23:7  And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.  1st Corinthians 1:13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  Simple things have been used to cause a division in the household of faith, from the color of the carpet in the sanctuary to the transgression of a member or the pastor.  

The request posted, "do not pray for me" was not indicative of a state of mind where I felt that I did not need pray.  Neither did it infer that I doubted the power of God.  The statement was mearly a pretext to what I would consider a greater message.  It was an attemp to call attention to and dramatize  the pain and suffer that exist within homes, churches, and communities this holiday season.   There are family members who cannot get along with each other. There are church members who cannot get along with each other.  There are pastor's who preach messages of God's love but have fail to grasp the meaning of the love of God.   This condition, this ailment is reflective in our communities. This pain, this suffering, this persecution is not the type that we would describe as the world against Christianity. It is the type of pain and confusion that we as Christians inflict upon each other when we become so focus on following Christ, we are no longer concern or aware of the feeling of others.   

Yes, this holiday season I ask you to lay aside you request for prayer, begging God for all of his blessing.  Lay aside your gimmie disposition, see that old lady sitting at home alone.  Don't ask God to stop by and touch her, go by and touch her yourself.  See that brother or sister who is suffering a spirit of loneness, don't ask God to fix the problem, ask what can you do to help.  If God have bless you this holiday season, be a blessing to someone who is in need, not only this holiday season but through the year. If you are having trouble seeing, remember the Bear, we see what we want to see.

James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Abusing The Role of Leadership Part #3 of 4

Revelation 3:15-19 New International Version (NIV)

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Continuing in our series  of abusing the role of leadership, the prophet Isaiah saw this problem and spoke against it in Isaiah 9:16, "For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed."  Jesus referenced the problem, Matthew 15:14  "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."  John admonishes us, 1 John 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  Where is that Christian element that is not afraid to stand up to these ambiguous claims of leadership and say, "enough is enough?" 

In a progressive society, our presidents, community and church leaders build shrines to emphasize their role as leaders, even parent build stately homes that will outlast them. Church leaders acquire impressive titles and build stately tabernacles and even plan for their succession.  What does this say concerning our vanity, our desire for recognition, our desire to stand out or our attachment with the things of this world?  Now we are forced to ask the question, what is the trapping of a great leader, a big house, money, a special car, or is it a desire to serve, to make a difference, to make the world a better place?  Was John the Baptist a great leader?  How many people today would follow a John the Baptist type fellow into the wilderness to hear him preach?  The Gospel John preached would be out of place in a setting where people flocked to be entertained and have their ego massaged. 

The promise of wealth and worldly pleasures, an entrapment or temptation presented to Jesus by the Devil is exciting and empowering to man.  Millions of people rush to assemblies to hear the Gospel of the Kingdom transformed by leaders into the Gospel of greed,  The Gospel of prosperity and the Gospel of entertainment.  We no longer come to church seeking to aid and assist our fellow man, we come to church looking for the blessing which is not scripture. We assembly like spoiled brats, adhering to the program, with uplifted hands, begging God for the blessing.  We are indoctrinated into a belief that God is sitting on the sidelines just waiting to bless us.  Collecting these make believe blessings have become a way of life to many.  Is this is what it all about? 

The book of Revelation, the book that contains the seven letters of Jesus to the seven representative churches is filled with insight and wisdom that is often overlooked.  The imagery and the symbology often overshadow the message as we justify our lack of knowledge by saying, "I just want to be ready when he come."  Revelation gives us a view of the church here on earth, the church in Heaven, and the final consummation  of things.  The problem with the book of Revelation is that it reveals things that we as humans are not prepared to accept. Revelation not only chronologize the history of the church, it reveals the flaws and problems of leadership among those who claim to be a part of the bride of Christ. 

The first step to the abuse of leadership roles begins with the ability to justify the sins that exist within us.  Justification can be through seeing and justifying or not able to see and justifying.  In the old testament, King David did a royal job of justifying his sin, thus abusing his role of leadership.   Abusing the role of leadership often result in one using the word of God to lift our self up, claiming that which do not belong to us and making promising in the name of God to obtain personal wealth and glory. Leadership in the vineyard of Christ should not be for personal gain, it should be about the saving of souls.  Jesus promised that our reward would be in heaven. Using the Word of God to indoctrinate believers into a profound level of gullibility, teaching them to become prey and making merchandise of them is forbidden by the Holy scripture.  2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. The selling of salvation, miracles and blessing were never ordained by Jesus Christ. 

The follows of Christ are often subjected to bondage in order to further the will of the so-called leaders.  Often times whether a person goes to church or not is based upon whether they have an offering or not.   Under the guise of praying for the givers, pastors will often stand at the offering table  watching to see who gave what, a type of applied bondage.  Paul in the book of   Galatians addresses the subject of applied bondage.   Galatians 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:  Galatians 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?  Galatians 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

At any given time, there is a vast array of ministers and prophets offering a smorgasbord of blessings.  To claim these blessings all you have to do is speak the word and ask for them.  Whether it's healing or money there are those who are prepared to tell you how to get what you want from God.  The fact that God is not moving in the direction that we are leading him does not figure into the equation.  A silent God is a factor that we cannot entertain, yet there are many times in the scripture where God was silent. The works of God is marginalized, trivialized and converted into cliques for the sake of gaining followers.  It is a well-known fact that followers translate into money and if you want to be blessed you have got to give money.  We are now promised financial blessings over the internet, all we have to do is type "Amen".  

Did Jesus, the Apostles or even Paul go about preaching a message of promised prosperity, or was the core message repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand?  In many church settings, the leaders are speaking of all of the wonderful that God is doing, how God wants us to be happy and prosperous.  Many leave these services in a mentality and financial quagmire that grew worst during the service.   Many times I have sat through beautiful messages designed to teach me how to get what I want from God.  The messages always centered around give more money and God will bless you.  There are many who are no longer believing these message, but like the emperor and his suit of new clothes, they are ashamed or afraid to admit it. 

In my lecturing, my travel and consultation, I am faced with a new and growing threat to the household of faith.  It is a problem that even I am not prepared to fully address. The pandering, the pampering and the new direction of many churches and church leaders have left many of their elderly constituents standing at the crossroad of despair and confusion.  The sadness of this is, these people have been made to question their faith in a time when they need it most.  But, as good soldiers they have learned to suffer in silence.  The beliefs, the things that they once held dear is being cast aside. The unfulfilled promises, the aches, and pains  of life even the financial insecurity of growing old is discombobulating to those who made the church an integral part of their life.  A 90 year old woman, after spending her life in the church, being preached and ministered to, looking out at a graveyard wondered out loud, "maybe this is all that it is."  She had planted seeds, paid her tithes, paid her dues, gave in offerings and honored her pastors, was this the measure of her salvation?   The ideology of Christians are rich in worldly goods and sinners are poor is a false illusion that is perpetuated by those who make merchandise of God's people.

The organizational structure of many organized churches has become oppressive in that it caters to the hierarchy of the organization rather than the needs of the local church, the need of the people or even the community.  The members are severely taxed and must make financial contributions to men, women, and organizations on a local, district, state and international level.  An elaborate pyramid scheme is enforced through indoctrinated procedures enforced through fear and intimidation.   Scriptures are cast about that strike fear into the heart of those who even think that their leader has erred.

Jesus said in Revelation 3:19, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent."

A Prayer Request For The Holiday

Do not pray for me.  Today as I head to the hospital for another batch of test and consultations, there is no heaviness within my heart.   Whether the news is good or bad is no longer a factor to me, I have long placed my fate in the hands of God and accepted the inevitable.   If cancer or diabetes does not take me out of the game  of life, then time or chance will surely prevail.  If you are taking the time to read this, I ask you this Holiday season to pray for the families  that are torn apart through hatred, false perceptions and lack of conversation. Pray for those who will be alone this holiday season, and pray for the church that have failed the mission of Christ.   Pray not for world peace, but pray that the love for Christ and the love of Christ will flow like water from the pulpit, throughout the church and into the community. 

Abusing The Role of Leadership Part #2 of 4

The God Complex

The emerging of untested leaders is a common occurrence within the human condition.  Specifically, ethnic groups, communities and the organized churches are inundated with a massive insurgency of leaders that serve no purpose other than to manipulate the masses to further their own objective.   Those of us who are enduring a type of suffering harbors a level of gullibility, we look for that Moses to appear and lead us into the promise land.  We quickly succumb to the antics and rhetoric of the actors,  the sports players the rock stars, the motivational speakers, we place them on pedestals and call them leaders.   

Revelation 2:15  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.  Jesus spoke of his hatred for those that came into the church for the purpose of establishing rulership over God's people.  Why did the church organize and succumb to the rule of leadership? Why is a level of salvation derived from collecting funds within a community and funneling it to groups outside of the community?  Why have the saints of God emerged into an arena where the blessing of God is determined by the amount of money given?  Why is the program always about raising money?  
      
There is a type of sadness and suffering emulating from the household of faith, it is seen and experienced by those who are aware of the revocation of their immortal status.  The syrupy messages of sunshine and favor no longer hold sway as they once did, the realization has begun to set in, we are being manipulated. The pomp and pageantry of idolatry have been injected into many of our worship settings as men and women adorn themselves in manners that separate themselves from the rest of the assembly.  Does this level of seperation defined their level of Godliness?  The organized church has become a place where fancy title are issued and "the God complex" is nurtured. Let's take a look at what Jesus had to say about clamoring for a title or position.

Matthew 23:8  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Jesus forbade his disciples to seek such titles of distinction. The reason he gave was, that he was himself their Master and Teacher. They were on a level; they were to be equal in authority; they were brethren, and they should neither covet nor receive a title which implied either an elevation of one above another, or which appeared to infringe on the absolute right of the Saviour to be their only Teacher and Master. The command here is an express command to his disciples not to receive such a title of distinction. They were not to covet it; they were not to seek it; they were not to do anything that implied a wish or a willingness that it should be appended to their names. Everything which would tend to make a distinction among them, or destroy their parity, everything which would lead the world to suppose that there were ranks and grades among them as ministers, they were to avoid. 

It is to be observed that the command is, that they were not to receive the title. "Be not ye called Rabbi." The Saviour did not forbid them giving the title to others when it was customary or not regarded as improper, (Acts 26:25;) but they were not to receive it. It was to be unknown among them. This title corresponds with the title "Doctor of Divinity," as applied to ministers of the gospel; and so far as I can see, the spirit of the Saviour's command is violated by the reception of such a title, as it would have been by their being called Rabbi. It is a literary distinction. It does not appropriately pertain to the office. It makes a distinction among ministers. It tends to engender pride, and a sense of superiority in those who obtain it, and envy and a sense of inferiority in those who do not; and the whole spirit and tendency of it is contrary to the "simplicity that is in Christ"

Matthew 23:9  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

This does not, of course, forbid us to apply the term to our real father. Religion requires all proper honour to be shown to him, Ex 20:12; Matthew 15:4; Eph 6:1-3. But the word father also denotes authority, eminence, superiority, a right to command, and a claim to particular respect. In this sense, it is used here. In this sense, it belongs eminently to God, and it is not right to give it to men. Christian brethren are equal. God only has supreme authority. He only has a right to give laws, to declare doctrines to bind the conscience, to punish disobedience. The Jewish teachers affected that title because they seem to have supposed that a teacher formed the man, or gave him real life, and sought, therefore, to be called father. Christ taught them that the source of all life and truth was God, and they ought not to seek or receive a title which properly belongs to him.

Matthew 23:10  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Those who go before others; who claim, therefore, the right to direct and control others. This was also a title conferred on Jewish teachers.

Neither of these commands forbids us to give proper titles of civil office to men or to render them the honour belonging to their station, Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:7; 1st Peter 2:17. They forbid the disciples of Jesus to seek or receive mere empty titles, producing distinctions among themselves, implying authority to control the opinions and conduct of others, and claiming that others should acknowledge them to be superior to them.

Matthew 23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

He that shall humble himself, etc. God will exalt or honour him that is humble, and that seeks a lowly place among men. That is the true religion, and God will and God will reward it.

Matthew 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

The scribes and Pharisees explained the law of Moses and enforced obedience to it. They are charged with hypocrisy in religion. We can only judge according to outward appearance, but God searches the heart. They made phylacteries. These were scrolls of paper or parchment, wherein were written four paragraphs of the law, to be worn on their foreheads and left arms, Exodus 13:2-10,11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21. They made these phylacteries broad, that they might be thought more zealous for the law than others. God appointed the Jews to make fringes upon their garments, Numbers 15:38, to remind them of their being a peculiar people; but the Pharisees made them larger than common as if they were thereby more religious than others. 

Pride was the darling, reigning sin of the Pharisees, the sin that most easily beset them, and which our Lord Jesus takes all occasions to speak against. For him, that is taught in the word to give respect to him that teaches are commendable; but for him that teaches, to demand it, to be puffed up with it, is sinful. How much is all this against the spirit of Christianity! The consistent disciple of Christ is pained by being put into chief places. But who that looks around on the visible church, would think this was the spirit required? It is plain that some measure of this antichristian spirit prevails in every religious society, and in every one of our hearts.

Abusing The Role of Leadership

Hebrews 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

The modern day interpretation of Hebrews 13:17 has been used by many to establish a domain, power base, and/or denomination within the religious community.  This cannot be the intent of the scripture if we consider the fact that Jesus spoke against a  group who came in the early church for the purpose of establishing a type of rulership within the church. Revelation 2:6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  The Nicolaitans is representative of a group who established power bases within the church  for the purpose of lording over Christ church. In Revelation Jesus declared his hatred for this group.  The interpretation of the Word of God based upon our perspective is subject to error, especially when we use it to bend the will of the people for self-promotion. Understanding the Word of God teaches us that the perspective must always be that of the author.

In many churches, Pastor worship has overshadowed the true worship of God. Many of us are buying into promises made by pastors, typing "Amen" on the social media, expecting a financial reward and God is not honoring these promises.  The fear of God has been set aside and the fear of the pastor have come full circle.   A proper reading of the scripture will not support the thesis of some man ruling over Christ church.  The new pastor of the church that my community was instrumental in building many years ago came through the appointment of the state bishop.  He proclaimed that God sent him there and he has the mandate to act as he sees fit.  The death of the founding deacon and a younger deacon was seen by him as God moving these people out of the way so he could have full control of the church. How profane. A friend preacher of his with the audacity to insult stood in the pulpit and threaten others with the same fate if they didn't support the level of incompetency presented by their pastor.     

The desire to be a leader, even the proclamation of being a leader does not make one a leader.   The desire to be a shepherd, even armed with the proper credentials does not make one a shepherd.  Using the scripture to validate that whom God call he qualify, is a moot point when the calling is in doubt.  Even for the Bishop there are guidelines set forth.  Titus 1:7  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre.  These guidelines have been cast aside as more and more people began to enjoy the title of Bishops and proclaim themselves to be prophets of God.  Jesus, as well as Paul, expressed their dread of false prophets. Mark 13:22  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. Galatians 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: In the formative years the church was concerned about salvation, the church of today is working the entertainment programs, collecting money, the children of God is led back into bondage and the saving of souls is an afterthought.   

What does the scripture really mean when it says, "obey them that have the rule over you.'  First, this scripture cannot be explained or interpreted by one whose desire is to establish a power base and lord over the church.  The reference here is to the religious teachers, and not to civil rulers. The church were to show them proper respect, and submit to their authority in the church, so far as it was administered in accordance with the precepts of the Saviour. The obligation to obey does not, of course, extend to anything which is wrong in itself, or which would be a violation of one's conscience. The doctrine is, that subordination is necessary to the welfare of the church and that there ought to be a disposition to yield all proper obedience to those who are set over us in the Lord.

And submit yourselves. That is, to all which they enjoin that is lawful and right. There are, in relation to a society,

(1,) those things which God positively commanded--which are always to be obeyed.

(2.) Many things which have been agreed on by the community or church as needful for its welfare--and these are to be submitted to unless they violate the rights of conscience; and

(3.) Many things which are, in themselves, a matter of no express Divine command, and of no formal enactment by the church or  community. They are matters of convenience; things that tend to the order and harmony of the church or community, and of the propriety of these, "rulers" in the church or community and elsewhere should be allowed to judge, and we should submit to them patiently. Hence, in the church, we are to submit to all the proper regulations for conducting public worship; for the promotion of religion; and for the administration of discipline.

For they watch for your souls. They have no selfish aim in this. They do not seek "to lord it over God's heritage." It is for your own good that they do this, and you should, therefore, submit to these arrangements. And this shows, also, the true principle on which authority should be exercised in a church. It should be in such a way as to promote the salvation of the people, and all the arrangements should be with that end. The measures adopted, therefore, and the obedience enjoined, should not be arbitrary, oppressive, or severe, but should be such as will really promote salivation.

In Paul's time,  the rulership of the churches was retained by the elders.  Elders denoted those who were seasoned through wisdom and age, thus elders of the church did not necessarily denote members of the clergy.  Also during the early church years, the church was an intricate part of the community, not a building or assembly set aside by a particular denomination.  Therefore, church rulers we members of the community and they ministered to the needs of the community.    

As they that must give account. To God. The ministers of religion must give account to God for their fidelity, for all that they teach, and for every measure which they adopt, they must soon be called into judgment. There is, therefore, the best security that, under the influence of this solemn truth, they will pursue only that course which will be for your good.  That they may do it with joy, and not with grief.  Not sighing, or groaning; as they would who had been unsuccessful. The meaning is, that they should so obey, that when their teachers came to give up their account, they need not do it with sorrow over their perverseness and disobedience.

For this is unprofitable for you. That is, they're giving up their account in that manner--as unsuccessful in their efforts to save you--would not be of advantage to you, but would be highly injurious. This is a strong mode of expressing the idea that it must be attended with imminent peril to their souls to have their religious teachers go and give an account against them. As they would wish, therefore, to avoid that, they should render to them all properly honor and obedience.

The interpretation of Hebrews 13:17 is often used to suppress the people of God and bring them into bondage. (Galatians 2:4)  Often our resolve to question the wolves who come to us in sheep clothes with credential, is tempered by and indoctrinated belief that whatsoever or whosoever proclaim to be of God is of God.  1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  The world, even the church, and community is being overrun with leaders.  The emergence of multiple leaders or the proliferation of the role of leadership has created a divided platform.  This platform must be reconciled in order for the organized church to regain its once held status.  There are community leaders and church leaders whose objective is to stir up a type of dissension or hatred for the purpose of establishing a separate church, power base and/or to enhance their self-proclaimed position.  

How can the organize church, a fragment body, a divided house reconcile itself through the fragmentation  that it has suffered for more than one thousand years?  How will this be reconciled within the Kingdom of God?  Will there be a segment of baptist angels and a segment of pentecostal angels.   Maybe there are other guidelines in place that determine who is saved and who is not. Is it possible that much of the doctrines and professions will have no value in the Kingdom of God.  These are the issues that the organized church must resolve in order to reclaim the light that Jesus threaten to remove in the book of Revelation.