Fri, Jun 28th - 2:11PM

BE NOT MANY TEACHERS WITH UNBRIDLED TONGUES

Brothers and sisters, thanks for your patience in this study, as we dig into the word to mine its treasures. Surely, we have heard it said that “sticks and stones might hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me”. The Bible, holy people, is saying this is a lie because the words that we choose to speak unkindly and unfiltered to others have the power to do real harm and start a whole lot of trouble for them and ourselves as well.

We know, it is true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for whom we are His ambassadors on earth teaches us that while we have liberty, it must never give way to license to operate outside of the bounds of His authority.

The aim of the Christian is to gain maturity. We are likened as to seeds, and this indicates that our growth towards maturity as Christians, takes place over time as we feed upon, and apply the Bible to our lives in everyday practice. Dearly beloveds, have confidence in God, in understanding He has given you, me and all of us the power of self-control.

If our learning is at the milk stage, then let us teach what we have learned to those in this stage to help them too, as we continue on in our journey towards maturity. Whatever stage you are in take the opportunity to share it and help others to grow.

It is evident that no matter what stage of growth we are in God expects His people to control their tongue. Praise God, brethren, He has given us His commands because He has also given us the power to obey them, so that we can operate from a place of safety, and a place wherein we know that we can please Him out of love for Him and the truth of His word.

BE NOT MANY TEACHERS WITH UNBRIDLED TONGUES

If anything, James, the brother of Lord Jesus is bringing us to spiritual bootcamp. We are no longer our own, every aspect of our lives is to be controlled, crafted and refined through the word of God, even our speech; therefore, our liberty is clearly to serve Him, not license to do our own thing or operate outside of God’s word. He gives no approval to any of us for such, and will exercise His discipline to keep us on the right path: 1Co 6:19 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 - For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

We are also loved and chosen by God: Eph 1:4 - According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

1Pe 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

So in one way, saints (G40 hagios) this is a spiritual bootcamp, and more than a crash course in helping us to operate fully the imperative of choosing to control our tongues in a lost and fallen world.

Brothers and sisters, in what way will we choose to employ our tongues today and always? This is the only correct answer:  God’s way is the only right way and the only right way is God’s way.  To be continued.

Love

Thu, Jun 27th - 2:23PM

BE NOT MANY MASTERS

Brothers and sisters here is the correct interpretation of be not many masters:

BE NOT MANY MASTERS- WITH UNBRIDLED TONGUES.

Again, there are no new testament doctrines that exhorts Christians to avoid being teachers or having many teachers among themselves, or to limit sending forth teachers with the gospel into the world.

The Bible sets the standards and boundaries of character of the teacher, and in what manner the Christian is to teach, and here as elsewhere in scripture, it sets the standard and boundaries of speech that is absolutely acceptable, and that which is absolutely unacceptable and forbidden to any teacher. This has a wide application to the body general as well.

It is best, holy people, to avoid commentaries and teachings that use unbiblical sources and give them equal weight with the scriptures to explain the Bible.  There are however, biblical commentaries, and teachings of the body general and overseers,  that can be very helpful in understanding scripture, but it goes without saying brothers and sisters we have to be like the Bereans, and this is no put down, this is following the teachings of the Bible to do just as it said of the Bereans: Act 17:11-12.

Every Christian is encouraged to and can mature in his or her understanding of the Bible and to teach what she or he has learned to help others do the same. No one expects a Christian to teach who has just come to faith. However, over the course of time, again, the Christian is expected to mature in his or her understanding of scripture and is expected at some point to help other believers understand and live it the same as was done for them.

It must be obvious that the Bible is the source of which all teachings are to be derived.

There is no such person, dearly beloveds, as a perpetual learner, that is anyone claiming to be a Christian, who despite continual learning over a long period of time never arrives at a place where she or he is rooted in the truth of the scriptures.

The Bible addresses such, and declares it shows they are not truly Christians: 2Ti 3:1- 7.

This study will be continued within the framework of:

BE NOT MANY TEACHERS- WITH UNBRIDLED TONGUES

Jas 1:26 - If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Love

serola

Tue, Jun 25th - 1:05PM

BE NOT MANY MASTERS

Jas 3: 2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Offend: to err, sin, fail, fall, offend, stumble. to cause one to stumble or fall, to err, make a mistake, to sin.

Holy people, no doubt God holds teachers to a higher and stricter standard and condemns those who teach poorly. However, the question remains is the intent of these verses to advise the body of Christ to avoid being teachers due to the higher and stricter standard, and subsequent condemnation for being guilty of poor teaching? While it is true, brothers and sisters, that God holds teachers to a higher and stricter standard and will judge those who fall short, it is error to advise Christians to avoid being teachers due to this:

Col 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Here we see, the body of believers as a whole are to use of psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing, as tools to teach and admonish one another.

Heb 5:12 - For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Here we see that the body of Christ is expected to mature to arrive at being able to teach. In fact it is plain to see that these Hebrew Christians, are taken to task, because despite being in Christ for some time, they never came to the place where they should be teachers, but through neglect have remained spiritual babes still in need of  learning the rudiments and unable to grasp the deeper knowledge of the scripture.

It is obvious, that the body of believers are to mature to the place that they can teach one another. It is error to discourage believers, to avoid gaining the maturity to eventually be able to teach one another. It is not the job of the over seers and those having received the gift of teaching through the Holy Spirit alone to teach, but the whole body is to mature towards participation in this as well.

Brothers and sisters, next let us grasp what the Bible really means regarding teachers in the body of Christ.

It goes without saying these verses are not addressing the teaching gifts that come through the Holy Spirit, because He alone can give and decide who will have gifts according to His will, and not through the volition of the believer.

Love

serola

Mon, Jun 24th - 8:35PM

BE NOT MANY MASTERS

James 3: 1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Fri, Jun 21st - 1:43PM

JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

OUR JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

Heb 13: 22And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. 23Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. 24Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

25Grace be with you all. Amen. {Written to the Hebrews from Italy by Timothy.

Beseech: to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc. to admonish, exhort, to beg, entreat, beseech, to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort, to receive consolation, be comforted, to encourage, strengthen

exhorting and comforting and encouraging

to instruct, teach.

Suffer: to hold oneself erect and firm (against any person or thing) to hold up

to sustain, to bear, to endure.

The word:  doctrine, teaching. In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds.

Exhortation: a calling near, summons, (esp. for help), importation, supplication, entreaty, exhortation, admonition, encouragement

consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment

thus, of the Messianic salvation, persuasive discourse, stirring address

instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse.

Brothers and sisters, in previous chapters of the scriptures, we note Paul had to warn the Hebrew Christians against mixing in part or whole the Law of Moses, with the new covenant of Jesus Christ:  Act 15:5 - But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Act 15:24 - Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Act 15:27 - We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

Although he encourages and reminds them in few words in these last verses, they had the complete record as well. He exhorts them to hold firmly to the new covenant.  We know that Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews he could blow any Hebrew teacher out of the water in understanding and interpretation of the Law of Moses. But nowhere here are the Hebrew Christians taught to continue to live under the temporal Law of Moses, but instead permanently under the new covenant of Jesus Christ.

These Hebrew Christians, holy people, are urged and instructed to be anchored in and never drift away from the new covenant of Jesus Christ. It is the governance of the new covenant of Jesus Christ alone and confirmed thorough out scripture even in the old testament that is the final standard and boundary that these Hebrew Christians are to be firmly rooted in, to believe and live for all time.

Again, brethren, the new covenant of Jesus Christ, Paul has declared to these Hebrew Christians, that this is their absolute guide, guard, manual of instructions, doctrine, and teachings in which the Christian as those saved persons, who although on earth, are commanded to absolutely believe, obey, teach, trust in and live according to the word of God, whose unchanging inerrant, eternal word endures forever.

 Phm 1:1 - Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

Heb 13:23 - Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

Timothy is scribe for Paul, and apparently in prison with him, and it would seem that Paul was first released from prison, and indicates that later Timothy too had been released. They send greetings to the Hebrew overseers and the saints likely gentile Christians mixed in there too. These Hebrew Christians were to teach the gentile Christians the new covenant of Jesus Christ, not the Law of Moses. The gentile Christians were to also observe and teach the new covenant of Jesus Christ as well, (see this whole chapter Gal 1 ) It goes without saying that, saints (G40 hagios), whether Jew or gentile, all are one in Jesus Christ who is no respecter of persons. Eph 2: 11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Finally, Paul ends this chapter as though with a check and mate: grace be with you all. Amen.

So dearly beloveds this particular study ends but praise God we can go over scripture all that we desire to, as He commands us and enables us. I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for your prayers, fellowship with me and being a partaker in this journey in Hebrews. I pray that God will grant you confirmation and understanding of His consuming love for us His people, His gracious charity and mercy in giving us the free gift of salvation, by His grace and never by works. The God of glory minister to your hearts solace, comfort and joy in the knowledge of His Son, and sole eternal Saviour Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us so that we can be with and in Him for all eternity. Brothers and sisters,  I will continually uphold you in my prayers and trust that you will do the same for me.

Dearly beloveds, grace be to you all.

love

serola

Wed, Jun 19th - 1:50PM

JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

OUR JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

Brothers and sisters, Hebrews teaches us the blessings and the warnings regarding the communion of the death of Jesus Christ. Hebrews began with God and His Son, and the apostle brings us to them here again in this last chapter. This our Journey in Hebrews is it not similar to another journey of some of the brethren long ago?

Luke 24:30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Brothers and sisters, it is this same Resurrected Jesus Christ our Lord, who never fails to open up the scriptures to us too, and our hearts are burning too within us individually and as a whole in a deeply moving and intensely personal way. Describing our connection with God as relationship, or religion-ship is a shallow understanding of the depths of our connection to Him.  

The Good Shepherd has given Himself to and for us entirely, holding nothing back of His all- consuming love and truth. Therefore, we cannot withhold ourselves from Him. We belong to Him entirely, we are not our own, He bought us with His own sinless blood. We are His and He is ours too, even in us and we in Him for all eternity.

Here we embrace our Risen Lord and Saviour. None can pluck us from His hand. The eternal truth that He lives forever, is certified, verified, absolutely confirmed by God the Father, who has brought Him from the dead to live forever, never to die again. Jesus Christ the great Shepherd of the flock of God, His nail scarred hands and feet a testimony of His undying love for His people for all eternity. His sinless blood, again,  has paid for our sins in full nothing owing. Jesus Christ is the greatest of all.

It is to Him that we rightly give our love, worship, trust, obedience, and every accolade that can be given in heaven and earth- is still insufficient to truly magnify Him.

Dearly, beloveds, we do not walk back from the word “perfect” that appears here. We cast off any fear, along with any inner feelings of inadequacy that makes us hesitant to ever aspire or even attempt to accomplish such a feat. In humility we confess that we do not have any ability to achieve or be made perfect on our own.

It is through our Lord and Saviour alone,  that all who trust in Him, He will make perfect in every good work, through perfection in obedience to the knowledge of the doctrine of the new covenant of Jesus Christ in which the total governance of His people is firmly set for all eternity within the framework of its inerrant, eternal standard and boundary for righteousness that alone pleases Him. We can conclude, holy people, that perfection is not something we will do for ourselves, but shall be done in us through the power of Jesus Christ working within all who love and put their trust and faith in Him.

 love 

serola

Wed, Jun 19th - 1:49PM

JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

OUR JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

Brothers and sisters, Hebrews teaches us the blessings and the warnings regarding the communion of the death of Jesus Christ. Hebrews began with God and His Son, and the apostle brings us to them here again in this last chapter. This our Journey in Hebrews is it not similar to another journey of some of the brethren long ago?

Luke 24:30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Brothers and sisters, it is this same Resurrected Jesus Christ our Lord, who never fails to open up the scriptures to us too, and our hearts are burning too within us individually and as a whole in a deeply moving and intensely personal way. Describing our connection with God as relationship, or religion-ship is a shallow understanding of the depths of our connection to Him.  

The Good Shepherd has given Himself to and for us entirely, holding nothing back of His all- consuming love and truth. Therefore, we cannot withhold ourselves from Him. We belong to Him entirely, we are not our own, He bought us with His own sinless blood. We are His and He is ours too, even in us and we in Him for all eternity.

Here we embrace our Risen Lord and Saviour. None can pluck us from His hand. The eternal truth that He lives forever, is certified, verified, absolutely confirmed by God the Father, who has brought Him from the dead to live forever, never to die again. Jesus Christ the great Shepherd of the flock of God, His nail scarred hands and feet a testimony of His undying love for His people for all eternity. His sinless blood, again,  has paid for our sins in full nothing owing. Jesus Christ is the greatest of all.

It is to Him that we rightly give our love, worship, trust, obedience, and every accolade that can be given in heaven and earth- is still insufficient to truly magnify Him.

Dearly, beloveds, we do not walk back from the word “perfect” that appears here. We cast off any fear, along with any inner feelings of inadequacy that makes us hesitant to ever aspire or even attempt to accomplish such a feat. In humility we confess that we do not have any ability to achieve or be made perfect on our own.

It is through our Lord and Saviour alone,  that all who trust in Him, He will make perfect in every good work, through perfection in obedience to the knowledge of the doctrine of the new covenant of Jesus Christ in which the total governance of His people is firmly set for all eternity within the framework of its inerrant, eternal standard and boundary for righteousness that alone pleases Him. We can conclude, holy people, that perfection is not something we will do for ourselves, but shall be done in us through the power of Jesus Christ working within all who love and put their trust and faith in Him.

 love 

serola

Fri, Jun 14th - 12:38AM

JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

OUR JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

Brothers and sisters, let us eagerly, with the spiritual picks, shovels, chisels, of our minds, hearts and spirits, continue to mine this last chapter of Hebrews. We know, through our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has given us our teacher our Holy Spirit we will find meat indeed and drink indeed of the word of God, to satisfy our souls fully deeply and well.

The Bible, holy people, with absolute authority continues to take us full throttle, without apology, explicitly, exhaustively, finally, and completely into the eternal truth that righteousness is only through faith in the Son of God Jesus Christ.

Brethren, if there is any among us still looking to please God under the temporary Law of Moses, under which none can please Him, or be accepted as righteous thereby, let us urge and let us pray they will repent and come resting, and believing in God’s only appointed Saviour Jesus Christ.  Jhn 8:24 - I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Let us understand carefully, that Jesus is preaching not that any should be saved through the Law of Moses, but through the gospel: Mar 1:15 - And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Heb 13: 20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever more.

The God of peace they and we also know is the same God, and eternally existent Creator who gives eternal peace with Him to them that believe on His only eternal appointed Saviour Jesus Christ. All would know absolutely that God’s terms for peace could only be attained through faith in Jesus Christ, and nothing but indignation and wrath to those who rejected God’s final offer of peace with Him through Jesus Christ alone.

 2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Rom 2:8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

To be continued

Love

Thu, Jun 6th - 3:20PM

JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

OUR JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

Brothers and sisters, preaching and teaching the Bible is not a suggestion from God, but a command for all believers. It is the spiritual food from God, to His people. It cannot be said often enough, every believer is filled with the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, and enabled to be taught, understand and share their teachings with one another, this is in addition to the teaching and preaching of the church overseers: 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Eph 4:14 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;

Holy people can we talk? Anyone consistently scoffing at or rejecting the study and applying of the Bible to their lives in public and in private are self- condemned, and should be avoided, because they reject the word of God so that they may deceive and use others for their own evil purposes.

Heb 13: 18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. 19But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Dearly beloveds, here in the aforementioned verses, Paul freely opens up his heart in frankly asking these believers to pray for him and those with him. Paul the apostle to the gentiles (after first having been rejected by the Jews), is saying clearly here prayer is something even servant leaders need. Paul is not bragging on himself and those with him. He has not fed the believers with spiritual slops concocted from his own personal opinions. He and those with him have a clear conscience because they have fed the believers, and led men to Christ through the truth of the new covenant of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul at one time even took a job so as to avoid being seen as taking support from the church wrongly.

So then, we see that there is no need for them to pray for Paul and those with him to repent, but prayers for continued strength and that their ministry not be hindered.

 Mainly, Paul desired them to focus their prayers for help of the Lord, that he could be released from prison and brought back to them by God.

Truly, brothers and sisters, regardless of the office we hold in the body, everyone of us are commanded to pray for one another to our Lord. Thanks be to God for giving believers direct access to Him through faith in Jesus Christ:

 Heb 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Saints (G40 hagios), let us along with our living and studying the Bible not neglect the blessings and command to pray to our Lord for one another and all men: 1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

If the great apostle Paul so endearingly requested prayer to God on his behalf from the brethren, we too should not hesitate to make the same requests of one another.

Brethren, we are slowly winding our way down through this final chapter of Hebrews, let each of us meditate on the treasury revealed to us by the Holy Spirit our teacher indwelling all who believe through faith in the sole Saviour for all who believe in Him. 

Pray for me, brothers and sisters, I am praying for you. 

Love

Mon, Jun 3rd - 4:52PM

JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

OUR JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

The qualifications for overseers to the church, brothers and sisters, is as much based on character, as well as being a seasoned believer with a sound knowledge and adherence to the scriptures. I am only speaking of Bible based churches here, because the standards of those who in error hold doctrines not found in scripture have qualifications for the office of the overseers that are a hodge-podge of requirements specific to their non-biblical doctrines.

Money-Bible based churches do not demand a set amount, but encourages members to give generously, consistently within their means for the support of the ministry and various good works as they agree upon. Non-Bible based churches have a draconic demand for tithes, which might include kids after school work, grandma’s social security check, grandpa’s nursing home stipend, no one is seen as too poor to give. These overseers are overseers in name only, and avoid teaching the truth of scripture which might wake up their members who might demand changes not to the overseers liking.

It is a part of the work of the overseers to teach the church-the people of God and for each individual member to understand the blessings of communion as well as the dangers of taking it unworthily. The communion is commanded to be taken only by believers, after believers have eaten a full meal at home or before coming for the communion, , so that they are not distracted by hunger, but focused on the bread and wine symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. No question it should not be taken lightly, but with reverence and so much more.   

1 Cor 11: 23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.27Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Examine: to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals, to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy.

2Co 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

The overseers are commanded to teach that the communion is not about me or you or our sins, or confessing our sins, it is about the death of Jesus Christ, who through His sacrifice of His sinless body and blood has permanently gained eternal remission of our sins.

In addition, here in the aforementioned verses Jesus declares to both Jew and gentile, that His final finished complete work on the cross has brought us into a completely new covenant, in His blood. There is no need for either Jew, Greek, nor gentile to ever again seek forgiveness from or worship in that old tabernacle under the Law of Moses.

HOW TO TAKE COMMUNION-We are commanded individually to examine ourselves, brothers and sister,  to make certain that we take the communion of the remembrance of the death of our Lord and Saviour worthily by fully discerning and believing the everlasting truth that His sacrifice of His sinless body and blood has given us a totally new covenant, which has gained us permanent forgiveness. We hold this truth steadfastly and take it out to the world, until the day our Risen Saviour returns. The death of our Saviour, we discern and believe as He said while still on the cross- it is finished, He has paid in full for our sins to gain eternal permanent forgiveness for all who believe in Him.

Anyone, brethren,  who does not discern, understand or believe what His death has accomplished in the sacrifice of His sinless body and blood in bringing forth a new covenant and permanent forgiveness, is unworthy to participate in the communion of the remembrance of His death, and should not do so lest they suffer the penalty as declared in scripture.

Love

Sat, Jun 1st - 4:25PM

JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

OUR JOURNEY IN HEBREWS

We have to note, brothers and sisters, that overseers are pleural, not singular. This means that the oversight of the church is not a one man show. There is also no such thing as a leaderless church. I know I am among the multitudes of brothers and sisters thankful for the overseers who demand, hold our feet to the fire to read, understand, live and obey the Bible for ourselves and not be totally dependent or having to be fed the milk of the word,  but to grow to feed ourselves on the meat of the word, and to share our teachings with other believers.

Many overseers will never be famous on earth, (and are not concerned with fame), and their names only known among the congregation, but most importantly God gives all such to the church as gifts, through the Holy Spirit, although they are not the only gifts to the church.

Lord Jesus knows all of their names and will reward them in heaven and earth for the fruit they gave and do give unto Jesus Christ of His people that were taught to walk in the unchanging truth of scripture, to love, trust, obey and live in Him.

Holy people it is evident that there are different kinds of gifts to the church, with different purposes and they operate differently, but all of them are from the one Spirit, the Holy Spirit. Any claiming a gift that denies the truth of scripture is a liar from the devil, and Christians are to turn away from all such.

What we are looking at here, dearly beloveds, are those appointed specifically, as the overseers or the servant leaders of the church:  

 Act 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1Ti 5:17 - Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Phl 1:1 - Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Jas 5:14 - 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:

According to the Bible the office of the ruling body are overseers of the church:  these Christians, are those those who preside over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably.

The ruling body of the church appoints the pastor or bishop ordained to preach and teach the gospel message and have oversight of the church. This is not a one- man operation as mentioned earlier, nor does the powers of the bishop or pastor exceed that of the church elders who retain the commission to retain or remove the bishop or pastor as necessary. This church holds themselves and every member accountable without exception. This is not all there is to the church, please free to study further on your own the other gifts to the church to aid it in its ministry to the church as a whole.

Unfortunately, some churches are under one- man rule and the elders are merely window dressing. Scandal more often than not breaks out due to there being no one able to hold the pastor accountable.  

The overseers, or servant leaders absolutely are critical to the church, to teach, preach and defend the gospel message and to prevent its perversion in any way shape form or manner and will not fuse the Law of Moses with grace, as our Lord and Saviour clearly and absolutely taught His church in general and specific ways. These verses, dearly beloveds, give a good summation regarding the work of the overseers to and for the church:

Eph 4:10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

 Eph 4: 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till 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: 14That 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; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

To be continued.

Love