Maranatha Messenger

THE CHURCH

A PLACE TO SERVE (Part 3)

God has endowed every child of God with at least one spiritual gift. Each believer is responsible to exercise his gift so as to benefit the body of Christ. Let me illustrate.

1. Romans chapter 16 contains a list of 35 individuals that Paul personally commended for their faithful service to the local, New Testament church. Terminology such as, servant (v. 10), helpers (vv. 2, 9), labour (vv. 6, 12), fellowprisoners (v. 7), approved (v. 10), workfellow (v.21), and salute (vv. 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23) are found throughout this passage.

2. This chapter of commendation and salutation was specifically directed to a diverse group of personalities. We read of Romans, Greeks, Jews, Gentiles, men, women, prisoners as well as prominent individuals. It reveals a multicultural church from all ethnicity and economic status.

Notice a couple of individuals mentioned by the Apostle Paul.

3. First of all, Paul commended Phebe for serving Christ in her local church. Paul said, “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also” (Romans 16:1-2). Phebe was a diakonos {servant} of the church at Cenchrea. Paul explained that this wealthy woman had been a prostatis {succourer} or one who cared for the needs of others. Some have translated prostatis “helper.” Not only did she help many in the local church at Cenchrea, she assisted the Apostle in his missionary endeavors. Everett Harrison shares further insight into the Greek word prostates. Harrison says,

The word ‘help’ (prostates) as applied in the last clause of v.2 to the service of Phoebe is not the same as that used for assistance to be given her; it is a
somewhat rare term used nowhere else in the NT, conveying the idea of affording care and protection (for papyri examples, see MM). One may conclude
that she was outstanding in her ministry of aiding and befriending others.[1]

4. Phebe was also entrusted with the sacred assignment of delivering this Pauline letter to the church in Rome. The Apostle demonstrated great confidence in Phebe by personally selecting her to transport this inspired manuscript to the believers in Rome. Phebe was a tremendous servant of Christ in her church.

5. Paul also mentioned the husband-wife team, Priscilla and Aquila. He said, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles” (Romans 16:3-4). They were known as sunergos {helpers} to the church planting ministry of the Apostle Paul. They were so loyal to him that they were willing to face any peril to further the cause of Christ. They prioritized Paul’s ministry ahead of their own physical wellbeing while putting their own necks on the line. This faithful couple
even surrendered their own home to be used as a gathering place for the local congregation (Romans 16:5a). What a wonderful example of the family unit serving Jesus in the church.

Discussion:

1. How are you using your spiritual gift in this local fellowship?
2. What did you learn from the testimony of sister Phebe?
3. What did you learn from the ministry of Priscilla and Aquila?



[1] Everett Harrison, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Romans, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan corporation, 1976), 161.

Maranatha Messenger

THE CHURCH
SPIRITUAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Accountability is very important in the life of a believer. The Bible makes it absolutely clear that Christians are accountable to God. Paul said in Romans, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12). You mark it down; there is coming a day of reckoning. Even Jesus told His disciples that they were accountable for every single word that comes out of their mouth (Matthew 12:36). The apostle told the carnal Christians at Corinth that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). First and foremost the believer is accountable to God.

Secondly, believers are accountable to each other. Paul instructed the church at Galatia, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Accountability involves spiritual restoration to the fallen. The word katartizo {restore} actually means to mend that which is broken. The same Greek word is translated “mending” their nets in reference to the sons of Zebedee who were fishermen (Matthew 4:21). Spirit-filled believers should be involved in mending and restoring the lives of fallen believers. Far too often Christians report incidents of sin within the fellowship to the “church authorities” expecting them to handle the matter. Having explained the sin in detail they often attach the disclaimer, “Pastor, please keep my name out of this situation.” In other words, you want the Pastor to confront the sin without any evidence. This is very unfair to the Pastor! Let me illustrate. Suppose you see a man commit murder but refuse to testify against him. Yet you expect the prosecuting attorney to press charges even though you are unwilling to testify. Christians report sin in the church but are unwilling to present the evidence. This is a great mistake and injustice. The scripture commands the godly believer to minister to a fallen brother. Paul clearly identifies who
should confront those who sin, “ye which are spiritual.” In other words, carnal Christians do not qualify for the ministry of restoring a wayward brother. Although the spiritual believer should be involved in the mending ministry, Paul clearly points out that he must serve in a spirit of meekness lest he too be overcome with sin. We must not function as spiritual FBI agents who feel the call to police the congregation. Pharisaical knit-picking and unwarranted investigations by those who are ready to draw the Baptist billy club and beat on the brethren over silly incidentals must not be tolerated. Nevertheless, godly believers should lovingly hold each other accountable for their actions. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and seek guidance from a spiritual leader in your fellowship should you need wisdom in how to approach a delicate situation.

Also, the Lord Jesus Christ established a means of discipline and accountability within the local church. Jesus said,

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a
publican (Matthew 18:15-17).

The process is clear! If a brother hamartano {trepass} or sins against you, go and confront that brother “alone.” This is biblical discipline and accountability! Please note, Jesus did not say go and share the situation with all of our friends. He told us to go to our Christian brother “alone” to work out the problem. Most of the time Christian fellowship is restored.

Should this course of action fail we are to proceed to step number two. Take two or three witnesses with you. Perhaps the sinning saint will listen to the witnesses. The goal is still the same; regain fellowship with your brother in Christ.

Finally, if this process fails, you have one other alternative. Take the situation to the proper church authorities. The final phase of church discipline will be implemented to recover the fallen brother. God has provided an inspired process for conflict management within the local church. Obedience to His Word always provides resolution to discord.

Thirdly, we are accountable to the spiritual leaders within our congregation. Our loving Lord has equipped godly leaders to shepherd His local fellowship. Paul told the Ephesian believers that,

He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of
the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect
man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Ephesians 4:11-14).

God gave gifted men and women to the church for the purpose of katartismos {perfecting} or maturing the saints. Such spiritual nurturing involves training, discipline and accountability. Someone who will hold our feet to the fire so to speak. An individual that we are answerable to. This in turn will oikodome {edify} or build up the body of Christ. Additionally, the author of Hebrews commands us, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (Hebrews 13:7). The Greek word hegeomai {ruler} is
referring to spiritual leadership in the church. He identifies this spiritual authority as the one who has laleo {spoken} or preached unto you the Word of God. It is absolutely clear from this passage of scripture that we are accountable to the Pastor of our local fellowship. The author continues this same line of thought in verse 17. He said, “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” (Hebrews 13:17). The spiritual shepherd is going to give account
for his flock! Therefore, the author said we are to hupeiko {submit} or not resist his authority. Should we rebel and not come under the authority of the man of God, Hebrews says, that this is alusiteles {unprofitable} or harmful for you. It is very dangerous for a believer to remove himself out from under the umbrella of God ordained accountability. The local church is a place of spiritual accountability.

STAY IN CHURCH (Part 1)

What do you do when you don’t know what to do? By all means stay put in your local church. One of the greatest mistakes a believer can make during a time of crisis is forsake the local assembly. Instead of drawing near to the people of God some make the mistake of getting out of church altogether. Sometimes this happens because of embarrassment or humiliation. Yet others leave the fellowship because of guilt or confusion. Life altering events normally leave believers in a state of shock, fear and bewilderment. Stunned by a painful event such as a divorce or an untimely death, many believers become vulnerable and discouraged. Others lose their spiritual equilibrium after a tragic situation. Nonetheless, staying in church can help make sense out of a senseless situation.

Why do Christians need to stay in church during times of trouble? First all, because God commands us to be involved in the local body.

GOD COMMANDS US

In times of unbelievable happiness and in times of incredible hurt the child of God needs to be anchored in his local fellowship. The circumstances of my life should not dictate my allegiance to Jesus Christ and His church. It has been my personal observation over the years that how a person treats the church is a reflection of his relationship with Jesus Christ. Many have the “take it or leave attitude” when it comes to the church. If it is convenient, I will attend, but if sacrifice is involved, then forget it. This attitude definitely carries over into one’s fellowship with Christ. The church is the body of Christ! We should love the family of God.

The New Testament book of Hebrews is a very unusual epistle. For instance, the author remains a mystery. Contemporary scholarship contends that Luke, Apollos or Paul wrote this literary masterpiece. The purpose of the book was to encourage believing Jews to “hold fast their profession” (Hebrews 4:14; 10:23). These Jewish believers’ were tempted to go back to Judaism. From 30 A.D. to 68 A.D. multitudes of Jews were converted to Christ. During much of this time many of the Christian Jews would go to the synagogue on Saturday and then attend church on Sunday. However, in 70 A.D. the Jews had their “9/11,” so to speak. Jerusalem and the Temple were utterly destroyed. This was a devastating blow to Judaism! Nevertheless, Judaism was reorganized by the Pharisees. Christian Jews were no longer protected by Rome. They were viewed as Christians, not Christian Jews. They were pressured to renounce their Christian faith and return to Judaism and the synagogue (this would mean protection from Rome). Should they remain in the church they would be ex-communicated from their synagogues. This was like a death sentence! In the midst of this severe persecution, the author of Hebrews wrote, Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” In other words, don’t egkataleipo {forsake} or abandon episunagoge {assembling together} in the church. Professing Christian Jews were deserting the Christian church and going back to their synagogues because of the persecution. In spite of such severe persecution the author of Hebrews pleads with these Jewish believers to stay in their local church. The entire book presents a convincing argument on the superiority of Jesus Christ to the old levitical system. Thus, the writer of Hebrews made the message clear. Don’t forsake the church and return to Judaism because Jesus is superior to the old covenant. He is superior to the prophets (1:1-3), angels (1:4-2:18), Moses (3:1-18), Aaron (ch.4-5), animal sacrifices and the entire levitical system (8:6- 10:39). In presenting his case, the author of Hebrews used the word kreitton {better} thirteen times when comparing Christ to the Old Testament system. Consequently, the convincing letter of Hebrews motivated many Jewish believers to “hold fast to their profession” of faith in Christ (4:14). As a result, many were severely persecuted and martyred for their faith in Christ. They paid a price to stay in church!

DISCUSSION

1. Based on your personal experience, why do people get out of church?
2. Why is church attendance so important?
3. How has staying in church helped you make sense a senseless situation?