Be Like The Greek Churches Of Macedonia
Minister To The Needs Of Others Preaching Jesus
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 describes how the churches of Macedonia (like the one pictured above) ministered to the needs of others. Learn how to minister to the needs of others from these scriptures. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia. First notice that we need the grace of God to give us strength to minister to others. Daily deny yourself and look to Jesus Christ crucified saying I am crucified with Christ for strength and grace to minister to others. Remember Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Right now get saved so you can have strength to live and minister to the needs of others. Repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again.
2 Corinthians 8:2 says How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. This teaches us to always rejoice about Jesus even through trials and persecutions to give us strength to continue to witness Jesus and help others in need. According to 2 Corinthians 4:8 Jesus will give us strength through troubles to minister to the needs of others. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 6:8 describes christians saying By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true. As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed. As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Even through poverty, continue to minister to the needs of others; Say kind words to everyone while you call or email people everywhere and listen to their needs. A kind word can save someone's life. Don't be selfish and only concerned about your needs. Instead take time to listen to everyone and pray for the needs of others. James 5:16 says Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. In other words when you pray for others Jesus will heal you.
Proverbs 19:17 says He that hath pity (without payment) upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again (notice that God pays you for just pitying the poor while you work on God's time clock). And note the blessings you receive for just considering (not paying) the poor according to Psalm 41: Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
2 Corinthians 8:3 says For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. In other words when ministering and witnessing Jesus to others it is not by your power but getting strength beyond your power from the Holy Ghost to keep witnessing. Acts 1:8 says But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. In other words, a sign that you have the Holy Ghost is when you desire to witness Jesus by the power of the Holy Ghost everywhere to the uttermost part of the earth. Hallelujah Brother Bob with the power of the Holy Ghost is obeying Acts 1:8 and sending preachbrotherbob blog about Jesus all over this earth from Hong Kong to South Africa.
2 Corinthians 8:5 says And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. In other words the way to minister to the needs of others is to first give yourself to the Lord and then give yourself to others. The biggest problem when ministering to others is self. When you look at yourself every day in the mirror say "Now what are you up to today." DL Moody said I've never met a man that gave me more trouble than myself. To minister to others effectively remember Jesus' advice at Luke 9:23: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Everybody Is Either Philippians 1:21 or Philippians 2:21
Philippians 1:21: For to me to live is Christ, And to die is gain
Philippians 2:21: For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's
Are you living for Jesus and blessing others?
Or Are you living for yourself?
Choose to live for Jesus demonstrated by ministering to others
Jesus taught us how to minister to the needs of others at Matthew 20:28 saying Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. Like Jesus who died for lost sinners, be concerned about others instead of yourself. Philippians 2:3 says Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves; Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Paul taught us how to minister to the needs of others at Acts 20:34: Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Note the blessing received after giving at Luke 6:38: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.
Keep Ministering To Others
Don't Be Selfish And An Enemy Of The Cross Of Christ
Next we learn how the Word describes an enemy of the cross of Christ. It's not a person threatening a christian with violence, guns, or weapons. The enemies of the cross of Christ are selfish people whose God is their belly. Unfortunately most people are enemies of the cross of Christ. Philippians 3:18 describes enemies of the cross of Christ saying For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Instead of minding earthly things that end in destruction, think about heavenly things that end in eternal life with everlasting joy. Don't be selfish and just mind earthly things: Witness Jesus everywhere. Be a light to the billions of people all around us that are not saved. You might be the only light of Jesus that someone sees on this earth.
Don't Be An Enemy Of The Cross Of Christ Full Of Yourself
Instead Care About Others And Deny Yourself
Romans 16:17 also describes these enemies of the cross of Christ saying Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. In other words earthly minded self centered people are enemies of the cross of Christ. These people are like dogs that eat, sleep, work, reproduce, and die. Don't become a selfish waste to society and an enemy of the cross of Christ like Solomon Grundy; Born on Monday; Christened on Tuesday; Married on Wednesday; Selfish on Thursday; Worse On Friday; Died on Saturday; Buried on Sunday; Thus ends the life of Solomon Grundy.
Instead choose to be a friend of Jesus Christ by helping people everywhere. Every day say how can I encourage someone to draw closer to Jesus? Give your life purpose and meaning by witnessing Jesus everywhere. Jesus told us at Matthew 25:40 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. And remember to go the extra mile for your brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus: Galatians 6:10 says As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Be like Paul and give yourself to the ministry of helping others: Paul said at 1 Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only; but also our own souls because ye were dear unto us.
Be Like The House Of Stephanas In Achaia Greece
Become Addicted To The Ministry Of The Saints
Paul told us about the house of Stephanas in Achaia Greece pictured above at 1 Corinthians 16:15 saying I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia (defined as individuals that were the first of many converts in Achaia Greece), and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints. I pray in Jesus name that like the house of Stephanas, everyone reading this can become addicted to the ministry of the saints.
Instead of being addicted to cigarettes, booze, and drugs
Be like the house of Stephanas addicted to the ministry of the saints
Crave and constantly desire to tell lost sinners everywhere about Jesus
Crave and constantly desire to help orphans and widows in their affliction
Today Jesus Is Asking Everyone Whom Shall I Send, And Who Will Go For Us?
Be Like Isaiah And Say Here Am I, Send Me (Isaiah 6:8)
I have enjoyed writing this bible study today about the Greek churches of Macedonia and the house of Stephanas in Achaia Greece. I pray in Jesus name it blesses multitudes all over this earth with great peace, strength, and joy. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
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