The Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, Week 3, Chapter 3, Monday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER THREE - NOT DOING A WORK OF

DEMOLITION IN THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH

WEEK 3 - MONDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Cor. 12:25-31

Read and pray: "that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another." (1 Cor. 12:25)

EDIFICATION IS MEANT FOR MUTUAL SUPPORT

AND TO SUPPLY ONE ANOTHER

Our problem is that we consider ourselves very smart and capable, to the point that we feel we do not need one another; however, we are always stepping on others. This indicates discord with an element of demolition. This is not edification.

Those who truly build up the church realize that they cannot act independently or live apart from others. They feel the need for one another. When a brother ministers the word, he knows he needs others to pray for him to provide support in his spirit. This spirit seems to have disappeared from our midst.

Those who minister the word do not seem to need the prayers of others, and those who listen to them do not have this spirit of support; they merely hear those who speak and make comparisons. Such a spirit is intolerable.

When the seed of discord among us bears fruit, then the church, our service, and the work will collapse and crumble, even if we are very spiritual. Our efforts have not led people to be in oneness with the church. Instead, it seems that we have only caused dissension.

The more we help people, the more they seem to disagree with the church and become scattered. There is demolition, not edification. Particularly, the brothers who work with young people do not have a sense of dependence on one another.

We must all have one soul to pray, supply, and support the one who delivers the message. If those who serve the Lord are always in discord instead of being in oneness, the enemy, the saints, and even the children will notice.

EDIFICATION IS SUBMISSION

True edification depends on submission. To submit is to be subject to others. When we are willing to submit, we have edification. Submission is out of the question if only one person does the work. However, if we work together, we must not care only for our own work.

For example, submission is not a topic before marriage between a brother and a sister; however, after they marry, they must learn to submit. Only when there is submission can there be edification. When a couple marries, their goal is to establish a family. The foundation of this building depends on submission.

The emphasis of edification is not on obedience but on submission. If the wife does not submit to her husband and the husband does not submit to his wife, there will be a lack of edification in the family. We must believe that the elders in a local church are neither careless in their decisions nor authoritarian in their attitude.

Although they may feel weak and inadequate, they bear great responsibility and care for the church with fear and trembling. If all the elders have this attitude and spirit, their decisions will be worthy of our submission.

LEARNING THE LESSON OF EDIFICATION AND

BRINGING OTHERS INTO THE BUILDING

Those who argue about which book the church should study and question the elders' decision regarding this do not have a spirit or attitude of submission. Without submission, there is no edification.

The edification of the church through our administration and ministry of the word depends on our person. If we learn the lesson, we will be broken and will know God's edification, and those we lead will be living stones built up as a spiritual house.

If we ourselves are not built up, we will have no way to build up others. The work of our hands will not result in edification. The more people we save through preaching the gospel and instructing, the more opinions will be introduced into the church. Despite increasing the number of stones, there will be no edification.

Satan's work is demolition. He has been doing this for two thousand years. Most of the evangelistic work in Christianity attracts people to believe through material gain. This is poor and superficial, and it shows that the power of the gospel has been lost.

When a church is full of dissension, its condition will be one of weakness. Since we came to Taiwan in 1949, the church in Taipei has remained fresh, without any factor causing dissension. Satan is now trying to carry out a work of demolition. When we are in oneness, we have the authority of the Holy Spirit.

Enjoy More: Hymn 178

The administration of the church and the ministry of the word, week 3, chapter 3, Sunday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER THREE - NOT DOING A WORK OF

DEMOLITION IN CHURCH SERVICE

WEEK 3 - SUNDAY

Bible Reading: Rev 3:14-22; Acts 15:6, 13, 20, 22; 21:20

Read and pray: "As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. Be zealous therefore, and repent." (Rev 3:19)

DEMOLITION LEADS TO DISSENSION AND DAMAGES AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH

We need to examine our hearts and consider whether our work in the past six months has led to unanimity or dissension. Being in unanimity is building up; being in dissension is demolishing the building.

The responsible brothers are in dissension if they change the decision of the elders without realizing that they are actually demolishing the building. If only seven out of twenty-eight home group meetings are in this condition, the church in Taipei will be in discord and divided.

We are not here to establish the authority of the elders as if they were "popes," but we need to ask ourselves whether there truly is administrative authority in the church. In whose hands should this authority be found?

If it is in the hands of the thousand brothers who regularly meet, we will become like the church in Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22). If this authority is in the hands of a "pope," we will be like the Roman Catholic Church.

The administration of a church is in the hands of the elders. They must learn to be submissive to God and fear Him. They must administer the church with fear and trembling and learn to be strong. They must fear making mistakes and being weak and indecisive. If a group meeting needs to be discontinued, the elders must make that decision without hesitation; otherwise, the remaining home group meetings will become like small local churches.

If no one in a local church has been broken, fears God, or recognizes the authority in the church and its ministry, the church is in discord. Its many activities will result in greater demolition. It would be practically better to have fewer activities.

If any of the responsible brothers in the church in Taipei holds a different opinion from the decision of the elders, there will be a work of deconstruction in the church. Such a situation of dissension will cause death. If the leaders of the home groups act this way, the group members will also express opposing opinions.

This type of tendency can be compared to the body when it contracts an infection—this can kill the body itself. This is dissension and destruction of the building. Through Satan's subtle scheme, our effort may actually become a work of demolition.

Some have made great sacrifices for the Lord and for the church. On the one hand, we should not boast about the sacrifices we have made; on the other hand, once we have made such a sacrifice, we must not allow Satan's scheme to enter our midst. If we serve amid discord, we will not be able to progress. Satan's most cunning scheme is to carry out a work of dissension and division among us.

Satan's work is not to lead everyone into open arguments; rather, it is to carry out a work of demolition through people's good desires and good intentions. This is the trick. Apparently, the responsible brother’s suggestion to study another book of the Bible is for the good of the saints, when in reality it is not.

However, if we truly learn the lesson, we will see that although church service organization is flexible and not rigid, there must be harmony and a single move in the church. This will prevent the church from falling into Satan’s schemes.

THE AUTHORITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE

Every church, large or small, needs to honor the authority of the Holy Spirit. For example, although thousands of Jews believed in the church in Jerusalem (Acts 21:20), there was no assembly to vote on the various issues raised in chapter 15.

Instead, the apostles and elders gathered in God’s presence, and after some shared their experiences and understanding, James stood up and spoke (vv. 6, 22, 13). This is the authority of the Holy Spirit in the Bible.

After gathering, they wrote a letter to the Gentile believers (v. 20). They did not argue, nor did the church hold an assembly for the believers to express their opinions through voting; rather, the apostles and elders met before God to decide the matter. Once they made a decision regarding the circumcision issue, no other opinion was expressed.

DO NOT PLANT THE SEED OF DEATH OR DISSENSION

Those who have learned the lesson will say amen when the elders decide that the home groups should study the Gospel of John. Those who consider that this book is too long should receive help from those who have learned this lesson so that they submit to the church and respect the authority of the church.

First, we need to help the saints accept what was planned by the elders before suggesting that a shorter book be studied. Helping the saints in this way is wonderful and contains the element of building up in unanimity.

If, from an impure motivation, someone responsible questions the decision of the elders and shares their feelings with other responsible ones, the factor causing death will spread. Perhaps they do not slander or oppose the elders, but in their speech, they may spread the idea that the church is a dictatorship. This will cause dissension. The seed of discord planted in the saints may grow and eventually lead them into dissension with the church. This is demolishing God's work.

Even in preaching the gospel and instructing the saints, there can be an element of demolition. This can be compared to drinking a cup of tea that contains tuberculosis bacteria. After drinking it, we will contract the disease.

It is very serious if a brother, who previously had no inclination toward dissension, begins to express an element of dissension in his service after being instructed by us. A city church will be ruined if the saints are divided among themselves. We must be alert to this great danger.

Satan's most cunning scheme is to plant the seed of dissension through those who serve. When he does this, the Lord’s work is broken, and discord arises in the church service. A person who contracts tuberculosis may appear healthy, yet within a year, their entire being will collapse.

Enjoy More: Hymn 293

1 When we walk with the Lord 

  In the light of His Word, 

What a glory He sheds on our way; 

  While we do His good will, 

  He abides with us still, 

And with all who will trust and obey. 

    Trust and obey, 

    For there's no other way 

    To be happy in Jesus, 

      But to trust and obey. 

2 Not a shadow can rise, 

  Not a cloud in the skies, 

But His smile quickly drives it away; 

  Not a doubt or a fear, 

  Not a sigh or a tear, 

Can abide while we trust and obey. 

    Trust and obey, 

    For there's no other way 

    To be happy in Jesus, 

      But to trust and obey. 

3 Not a burden we bear, 

  Not a sorrow we share, 

But our toil He doth richly repay; 

  Not a grief or a loss, 

  Not a frown or a cross, 

But is blest if we trust and obey. 

    Trust and obey, 

    For there's no other way 

    To be happy in Jesus, 

      But to trust and obey. 

4 But we never can prove 

  The delights of His love, 

Until all on the altar we lay; 

  For the favor He shows, 

  And the joy He bestows, 

Are for them who will trust and obey. 

    Trust and obey, 

    For there's no other way 

    To be happy in Jesus, 

      But to trust and obey. 

5 Then in fellowship sweet 

  We will sit at His feet, 

Or we'll walk by His side in the way; 

  What He says we will do; 

  Where He sends, we will go, 

Never fear, only trust and obey. 

    Trust and obey, 

    For there's no other way 

    To be happy in Jesus, 

      But to trust and obey.

The Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, Week 2, Chapter 3, Saturday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER THREE - NOT TO DO A DEMOLITION WORK IN THE CHURCH'S SERVICE

WEEK 2 - SATURDAY

Bible Reading: Mt 24:2; 1 Co 3:10-15

Read and pray: "Each one's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done." (1 Co 3:13)

THE NEED FOR OUR SERVICE TO PRODUCE EDIFICATION

The edification of the church is brought about through the administration of the church and the ministry of the word, and both depend on the condition of our person. Our administration of the church may not result in much edification. It is also possible that our ministry of the word may not result in much edification.

Even the act of leading people to salvation and helping the saints in their perfection may not result in much edification of the church. Our work may be effective, but the more we do it, the less element of edification exists.

In other words, the effectiveness of our work is inversely proportional to the edification of the church. It corresponds to the demolition of God's work of edification, and not to edification.

Under normal circumstances, the more we do the work, the more we build. Our work should correspond to our edification. For example, when some preach the gospel, they not only save sinners but also build the church; when they instruct the saints, they not only help them but also build the church.

We need to pay attention to this peculiar fact: we can do a work without producing edification. If we are in the light, we will see that it is possible to save sinners and instruct the saints without building the church. Many works in Christianity actually demolish the work of God's edification.

The most serious demolition of God's edification in the church does not result from persecution or opposition from unbelievers. It, however, comes from many works done zealously in Christianity. These works do not come from bad intentions, evil ideas, or mistakes; rather, they have the good intention of saving sinners and instructing the saints, but they do not result in the edification of the church.

SATAN'S SCHEME TO CARRY OUT A DEMOLITION WORK IN THE CHURCH'S SERVICE

What does it mean for our work to demolish God's edification? A good example of this occurs when a certain brother, responsible for a group meeting, changes the presbyters' proposal to study a specific book of the Bible. Changing the book to be studied may be instructive for those participating in his meeting; however, the way he does it undermines the divine edification of the church. It will not help the saints know their flesh, deal with their own opinions, or learn to submit to others.

His way of acting will only generate people full of viewpoints and opinions, who like to correct others but do not like to submit to them. Although this brother has good intentions and does not criticize or judge others, the destruction caused is serious for the church.

The presbyters may decide that the entire church will study the Gospel of John, yet a responsible brother may conclude that this book is too large and change it to 1 Thessalonians. This good intention demonstrates that he has not yet learned the lesson of being broken; he cannot set aside his opinions and does not know how to submit to others while serving the church.

The church cannot be edified if twenty-one of those responsible say, "The presbyters are not necessarily right in the way they do things. Their decisions are not always correct." If such an attitude is adopted, things will spiral out of control.

Perhaps these responsible brothers would not even be satisfied if the apostle Paul were one of the presbyters. Whether the presbyters make right or wrong decisions is not our problem. Our need is to submit to them.

It is hard to believe that a person who does not submit to the presbyters can generate people who are broken, deny themselves, place themselves under God's hands, and submit to others. The best they can do is produce people with their own viewpoints and opinions, who demolish instead of building the church.

To edify is to place one stone upon another. In contrast, the Lord's word in Matthew 24 shows us the demolition: "Truly I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." (v. 2).

When demolition occurs, no stone is left upon another; when building occurs, each stone is upon the other. People may praise our work, but we need to see if it is not demolishing the church. Satan's scheme is to demolish.

All our work in Taiwan was for edification; however, in the last six months, there has been much demolition. This is the scheme of the enemy, and many of us have been used by him to carry out this demolition work.

We do not want to do this kind of work. No brother does it with bad intentions. However, not having learned the lesson, we are unconsciously used by Satan in our service to demolish. We may think we are building, but our work has been to demolish the church.

Satan demolishes through our work. This causes great harm to our service and the testimony of the church.

Enjoy more: Hymn 382

Administration of the church and the ministry of the Word, week 2, chapter 2, Friday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER TWO

WEEK 2 - FRIDAY

Bible Reading: Ex 17:8-13

Read and pray: "But Moses' hands were heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." (Ex 17:12)

Preserving the consciousness of the Body

and being edified in our service

The brothers need to learn the lesson of being broken, kind to others, and respecting their functions. Our Lord is great, and His work has many aspects. Therefore, we need to be faithful to what He has entrusted to us and learn to work in coordination with others, respecting what they do. Unless they speak heresies, we should not interfere, intervene, or criticize. Only in this way can we preserve the consciousness of the Body and bring edification among us.

The seeds of this type of problem have already been planted among us and have produced negative situations. As we serve together the Lord in His work and share it, we need to rise up and condemn such situations. These issues are closely related to us and will show how much we have already been transformed before the Lord and what life lessons we have already learned. If we grow in life, are broken, and learn some lessons, we will be saved from all these issues.

When the elders suggested studying the Gospel of John and the brother responsible for the home meeting said that this book was too big, insisting that the elders accept his way of doing things, the feeling of coordination weakened. When this happens, we cannot expect the building up of the Body to be strong. If this brother continues to oppose the elders' proposals, the brothers in his meeting will eventually rise up to oppose him because he set the example of opposing others and making his own opinion prevail.

If he continues in his way, how can he lead the others in his home group to have strong coordination in service and good edification? We all need to learn an important lesson. In the coordination of the Body, everyone needs to function and respect what others are doing. We should not criticize others but join in their efforts so that the Body of Christ is supplied, not damaged. In this way, the feeling of coordination will be pleasant, and the edification of the Body will be strengthened.

Enjoy more: Hymn 407

"To Function"

1 As members of the Body 

Christ we would manifest, 

Each learning how to function 

His fulness to express; 

We would not be spectators 

But each as members move, 

None bringing death or damage 

But each our profit prove. 

2 As in a team we’d never 

Act independently, 

But in coordination, 

Each would dependent be; 

Not acting by our choosing 

But following the flow, 

Distraction never bringing, 

The Spirit’s way we’d know. 

3 On Christ we here would focus, 

No other center make; 

With Christ in sweet communion 

His riches to partake. 

He is our Head and content, 

His Body we express; 

Whate’er we do while meeting 

Himself must manifest. 

4 Built up in love together, 

Not one would criticize; 

To perfect one another, 

We all would exercise. 

Each one from self delivered, 

The natural life forsakes; 

In grace each trained in spirit 

The Body-life partakes.

Church Administration and the Ministry of the Word, week 2, chapter 2, Thursday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER TWO

WEEK 2 - THURSDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Cor. 6:7

Read and pray: "And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." (Matt. 5:40)

Do not insist on your own way

The elders understood that a certain meeting should study the Gospel of John. However, one of the brothers responsible for that group felt that John would be too long and wanted to study 1 Thessalonians. He thought it would help those who were not used to reading the Bible. Since he insisted, the elders eventually agreed, although his burden for 1 Thessalonians was not appropriate.

In fact, this brother did not have a legitimate burden. He simply thought the saints would be apprehensive about a book with twenty-one chapters and allowed his opinion to override the feelings of the others. Unless he had actually been commissioned to study 1 Thessalonians, he should not have proposed it at the meeting.

None of us should do things that we have not been entrusted with, nor should we abandon things that we have truly been entrusted with; but we need to serve according to our burden. Doing the opposite violates a spiritual principle. This responsible brother had not yet learned the lesson in spiritual matters and acted in an inexperienced manner in his behavior.

If our fellowship is related to a spiritual burden, there should be no problem in proposing change, and we should not criticize the burden. However, if all we want is to change the way others do things, we should not go ahead with it.

We need to respect the way the brothers
we serve with do things

The elders will not force a group to study a certain book or say specific things, but we should not randomly change what they have commissioned us to do. Strictly speaking, it is fine to study either John or 1 Thessalonians, for it does not really matter which book is studied. It is possible to minister to the brothers with 1 Thessalonians or the Gospel of John. In our service, we should always avoid changing the way others do things.

We need to understand that when we change the way others do things, they may not accept it because they understand it is not appropriate to change; and if they do accept, it will not be in a pleasant way. Because of this kind of problem, our service in the administration of the church and in the ministry of the word is not strong.

Even in the world, when people work together, it is not easy to change the way others do things. If we truly have some skill, it will manifest even when we work according to others' ways. If we have spiritual content, we can minister to the saints through 1 Thessalonians or the Gospel of John. It does not matter which book it is, we should be able to minister its spiritual content. What we should fear is not having spiritual content to minister; if we have it, we are capable of ministering and developing any book of the Bible.

Therefore, changing the way others do things indicates that we have not yet learned many spiritual lessons. It also indicates that we are still inexperienced in how we conduct ourselves. Some brothers lead the saints to serve fervently, hoping that they will spend more time learning to maintain fellowship with the Lord and to know the Spirit who dwells in them. We should not try to change their practice. Instead, we should praise them, saying that it is good to love the Lord and to be fervent.

However, our praise should not be false; rather, it should be a positive supplement to their work. We always need to maintain an attitude of respect, cooperation, and coordination with others. We should serve according to our portion and honor the portion of others, because both have been entrusted by the Lord. Everyone should have the humility not to consider their portion higher than that of another.

We should care for the feelings of others. Unless they speak heresies and create problems for the work and the church, we should always respect them, be gentle and helpful with them, and be open to receive their help. May the Lord grant us grace to realize that this is a matter of life and involves being broken and humble.

Those who can achieve a goal without forcing others to do everything their way are truly humble. Since we love the Lord, we desire to live for Him and to build up the church. These goals are right, but there are many ways to achieve them. For example, preaching the gospel with a brother is a good goal that can be accomplished according to his way or ours.

We are blessed when we do not force others to do things our way. If we have spiritual content, we can minister in his way, and if he has spiritual content, he can minister in ours. Both ways are acceptable; there is no need to cling to one of them.

Enjoy more: Hymn 224

"I grow in Christ; I will no longer do

Things of which I was once ashamed;

In holiness, I will bear fruit,

Sharing eternal life.

Glory be to God!"

Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, week 2, chapter 2, Wednesday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH  

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD  

CHAPTER TWO  

WEEK 2 - WEDNESDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Cor. 12:12-27  

Read and pray: "But you, why do you judge your brother? And you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God... So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God." (Rom. 14:10, 12)

The need for fellowship and  

coordination in the Body and in life

If we lose the principle of coordination and dependence in the Body, we will not be strong in the administration of the church and in the ministry of the word. If we lose this principle, we will cease to have much blessing.  

Our coordination should not become mechanical, and we should not work only when it is our turn on the schedule. We must have the feeling that we can do nothing without others, that we really need one another.  

If we meet and divide the work, and each one does only his own task, our situation is similar to the division of duties in a public organization or large institution. This lack of desire for coordination among the members of the Body needs to be eliminated.  

What does it mean to see the Body? The greatest indication that we have seen the Body is that we cannot be independent. We feel the need for the Body, we miss the brothers. At the moment, however, our coordination can be compared to working in any organization. It seems we move like a machine and lack the sense of the fellowship of life.

The lack of coordination produces criticism

If we lack coordination with others, we always criticize what they do. Even if we do not express our criticisms, we are full of them and disapprove of what they accomplish. Such people are mean and pitiable.  

In our service we must never expect others to be like us nor that we be like them. However, because we lack coordination in service and mutual dependence, we almost always step on one another. Either we do not move or we step on others when we decide to move. Either we do not work or we do the work of others. Either we do not care or we criticize the work others do.  

When a certain matter is in the hands of someone else, we are unable to do anything. However, when an opportunity arises, we do it our own way and discard the help of others.  

Although this situation is not visible among us, it will be in the future, because we are not willing to submit to one another. This is a foolish way to proceed.

Do not demand that others be like us,  

but respect what they do  

We must not demand that others be exactly like us in everything. We must not argue about how they preach, visit people, or live.  

Even if the way they live does not please us, we cannot set standards for them nor are we qualified to judge them. Only the Lord is the criterion and the Judge.  

We need to learn to respect what others do. When we speak of being fervent, we need to respect the silence of others; when we speak of being quiet and joining ourselves to the Lord, we must not criticize those who are busy.  

If everyone is exactly like us, there will be no Body. There will be only one member. That is not the church. If everyone were like us, there would be only us and not the church. The church is composed of various people.  

This can be compared to the human body with its different members. The hands look like hands, the foot looks like a foot, the ears look like ears, and the eyes look like eyes. Even the member that seems the most improper is necessary to the body.  

Therefore, we must learn not to step on others. When it is our turn to do a work, we must not criticize what they did. It is a blessing to respect the work of others and add ours to theirs. We must be positive when speaking to them and not negative. It is a lack of wisdom to say they are wrong. As long as these negative factors exist among us, the administration of the church will have problems and the ministry of the word will not be strengthened.  

Many saints from various places serve together in the church. They have different temperaments and family backgrounds, as well as spiritual backgrounds and varied training. Therefore, we cannot expect everyone to be like us. We need to learn not to step on others. When we take a step, we cannot step on others. We must especially avoid stepping on others when we minister the word.  

For example, when speaking about prayer, we must not criticize those who speak about meditation, because the saints may need both. We must limit ourselves to speaking positively about prayer without, however, criticizing what others say about meditation.  

When we serve together, we must completely avoid criticizing others in the ministry of the word. Some may speak about prayer and others about meditation; some may speak about being fervent and others about being in the Holy of Holies. None of these teachings is heretical; they are just different emphases.  

Criticizing others shows how mean we are and can cause divisions. If this is our way of working, there will be no building among us. On the contrary, there will be destruction.  

We must simply work positively and learn to receive help from other people. We must understand that no one can do our part. Not even the apostle Paul could do what we are capable of doing. But we must also admit that we cannot replace others.  

Each person has his function. When we minister the word, maintain fellowship, and pray, we must not criticize others. Particularly when we pray with other people, we must avoid praying in a contradictory manner.  

Enjoy more: Hymn 426  

"In the Flow! In the Flow! Working  

With the Lord,  

In the Spirit, as we heed His word;  

Not in self nor  

acting independently,  

But in the work, serving in full harmony."

Church Administration and the Ministry of the Word, week 2, chapter 2, Tuesday

THE CHURCH ADMINISTRATION

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER TWO

WEEK 2 - TUESDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Cor. 9:16-27

Read and pray: "To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some." (2 Cor. 9:22)

THE SECOND PROBLEM:

LACKING THE SENSE OF COORDINATION

Another problem among us is that, despite the capability of those who serve, they do not have a sense of coordination in the spirit when they gather to serve. It seems as if each one can serve without the others. Consequently, few among us have the spirit of a learner and of someone who knows he needs help.

Those who truly have the spirit of coordination must have a clear sense that they can do nothing without the help and coordination of others. Our coordination today is merely formal. They carry out their part without anyone's help. There may be no arguments among us, but there is also not much interdependence in the spirit. This shows how inadequate our serving spirit is.

This is the situation of those who work with the young people and the children. The coordination is formal; everyone does what they are supposed to do when it is their turn in the schedule. This is cooperation, not coordination.

Coordination means that we cannot do anything without the others. There is the sense that we need the others, and the others need us. Those who work with the young people should be like this; the entire service of the church should be this way. It is normal for the deacons and the elders to need one another, and for the saints to feel that without them, they can do nothing.

Today we have rules and regulations. The elders do what pertains to them, and the deacons do what pertains to them. Everyone works according to the schedule. However, we do not have a deep sense that we cannot go on in our service without the elders and the deacons.

Some not only do not feel the need for the elders and deacons but even think that the elders and deacons are unnecessary. This is dangerous.

The greatest form of pride

Those who live in the workers’ house are brilliant and capable. They seem to be independent and not need others. This is very dangerous because it is the greatest form of pride that exists.

If four brothers live in the workers’ house, they should depend on one another, and this dependence should be evident. Unfortunately, this is not the atmosphere that surrounds us.

For example, if it is my turn to preach the gospel, I either do everything or do nothing. From a human perspective, this may be considered coordination; however, this kind of coordination is according to rules and regulations. There is no perception of needing one another in spirit. Some may think that coordination is unnecessary and even disturbing, and it is better not to have coordination.

Those who do not need coordination are dry, without blessing, and useless. The fact of being intelligent, capable, and not needing the help of one another is a great danger. This situation is sad and lamentable. The most terrible thing is that this situation is covered, not very apparent. It can be compared to leprosy. If it manifests, it will be easier to deal with it.

This reveals that we lack the fellowship of the Body. When we meet, we rarely have full fellowship. For example, when the saints from another city visit Taipei, we gather together. After the meeting, however, everyone goes their own way, separated, without experiencing fellowship.

This was not our situation during the first six years in Taiwan. In that period, whenever we had a conference, we gathered together and had much fellowship.

Now we are all capable, brilliant, and very well instructed. We no longer need one another; we no longer need to maintain fellowship. This is the greatest form of pride possible. It is the most offensive thing to the Lord and His Body. We must minister to others with all humility and restrain our intelligence and coordination ability.

Enjoy more: Hymn 476

"We uphold the righteousness

Restraining the 'self',

Having peace with men

And joy with God"

Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, week 2, chapter 2, Monday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER TWO

WEEK 2 - MONDAY

Bible Reading: Mt 5:38-42

Read and Pray: "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two." (Mt 5:41)

Each one receives a burden

and serves the Lord according to the burden

All who serve the Lord need to receive a burden and have a burden. This also applies to the sisters, although they are not involved in the administration of the church or in preaching messages. If they share together and visit people just because it is time to do so, they are doing everything out of obligation.

They must seek to know what their sharing and visits have produced. They must know the condition of the sisters under their care. They should not say: "As long as the Lord works in them, they will be fine. But if the Lord does not work in them, there is nothing we can do." We need to receive a genuine burden.

Although many sisters have the desire to serve the Lord, few have risen to serve Him in recent times. The brothers, however, continue serving as always. We must note that the sisters’ situation is not good and receive the burden to encourage them.

We also need to analyze the results of our gospel preaching. We need to ponder why so many are still not saved, despite there being so many sinners. Some must rise up to receive the burden to preach the gospel until someone is saved. We need to have a burden.

The problem is that we gradually incline toward responsibility in service, and we lack a burden. Since most of our prayers are without burden, the prayer meetings produce no effect.

If someone is saved when we preach the gospel, we thank and praise the Lord. But if no one is saved, we remain at peace. When we preach messages, we are at peace even when they produce no effect. The same applies to the administration of the church and the visits to the brothers; we are at peace even if there is no result.

Since this is our condition, our prayer is out of obligation, not flowing from a burden. If we pray with a burden, our prayer meeting will be different. Some will mourn with intensity and grief, feeling that they cannot continue in the same way. They will realize that the preaching of the gospel, the administration of the church, and the condition of the meetings are unsatisfactory. This kind of prayer flows from a burden.

Some say it is easy to lose the burden after some time. However, those who received mercy receive burdens continuously. It is a very serious problem if our burden disappears after we have worked for some time. Nevertheless, a Christian can continue working out of obligation, even if he has no burden, because his conscience bothers him if he stops.

Whenever our service becomes a matter of fulfilling an obligation, our service has already degraded. Genuine service is never a matter of obligation but of burden; the burden always goes beyond the obligation.

Enjoy more: Hymn 422

"...The trials of life down here,

With His own He comes to share;

His people have Him near,

And will His burden bear."

Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, Week 2, Chapter 2, Sunday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER TWO

WEEK 2 - SUNDAY

Bible Reading: Gal 4:12-20

Read and pray: "My children, for whom I again suffer birth pains until Christ is formed in you; I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you."
(Gal 4:19, 20)

Discern between the service of responsibility

and the service of burden

The elders in all the churches need to go before the Lord to receive a burden and see whether all the home meetings in their city are progressing satisfactorily. We need to pay attention to the condition of the meetings. Are they strong or weak, living or dead, rich or poor? We cannot remain unchanged.

Perhaps those responsible for the home meetings are at peace; however, the elders should not be at peace. The elders must act in a coordinated way, together, and not individually. They must have a collective burden to cause a total transformation in the condition of the home meetings. They need to pray for the saints even with tears and seek the Lord to know the proper words to speak.

Then they must speak in the meetings according to their burden until the saints are disturbed inwardly and no longer satisfied with the current situation.

When the elders speak in this way, they do not speak according to their organization but according to their burden. They must have a burden and not merely have responsibility.

As elders, we should not merely share and talk about the conditions of the different home meetings, visit them, and present evaluation reports at the next elders’ meeting. There is no burden in this practice; it will be ineffective and bring no benefit.

If we have a company with many employees, its annual profit will not be influenced by conversations, reports, and evaluations. That does not fulfill the burden. If we have a true burden, we will set an annual profit goal, work towards achieving it, and be determined to reach it.

Both in the administration of the church and in the ministry of the word, the brothers are commendable regarding their level of responsibility. However, they lack a burden. Without a burden, all our activity will be dead and ineffective; but with a burden, we will be living and prosperous. This result is not related to our method, but to our person.

Serve with a burden allowing the ego to be denied

Children will never succeed in their studies if they study only for tests. If they have a burden, their studies will change. A brother may give a message merely out of obligation, because it is his turn to share. However, giving messages is not a matter of obligation, but of burden.

We may speak for six months in a row, yet those who hear us may not receive anything and our speaking will have been in vain. If we have a burden, we will realize that our messages are ineffective. They must "bother" people so that they have no peace and feel stirred to love and serve the Lord.

In this situation our being will be touched by God. There is no need for our ego to be denied if we give messages out of obligation. However, if we give messages from a burden, our ego needs to be crucified.

Working from nine to six as an employee is a matter of obligation and does not require any adjustment. However, we would work differently if we had our own business. Our laziness would be eliminated because we would have to wake up early for work.

The attitude of a waiter or a store clerk towards customers may not need correction. However, a person who runs their own business adapts so as never to offend clients. Instead of being transformed, some brothers seem to have more problems when serving out of obligation and not out of burden.

If there is a burden, our "self" diminishes and is eliminated. It will not grow because there are things our burden does not allow us to do, and there are areas that will demand discipline before sharing our burden. For this reason, having a burden is what brings us the most transformation.

A young man who does not have the burden of taking care of a family may not care about the way he lives. However, after getting married and having children, he will know what it means to be diligent and disciplined. A son may spend his parents' money freely, without any self-control. However, when he grows up and lives on his own, his spending will be planned. He will be more careful when shopping.

Spending parents' money is one thing; spending his own money is a burden. It seems that the brothers in the churches serve out of obligation, like employees. They do not seem to have much burden. Such a service is dangerous and will lead us to lose the Lord's presence.

Enjoy more: Hymn 427

"The unity of the church

This will preserve;

Testing our motives,

Our goal will adjust."

Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, Week 1, Chapter 2, Saturday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER TWO

WEEK 1 - SATURDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Sam. 2:12-17; Matt. 25:14-30

Read and Pray: “The one who had received the two talents also came and said, ‘Lord, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matt. 25:22-23)

Being desperate about people’s condition

in order to preach the word effectively

Every week of the year, there is a preaching meeting on Sunday in the church in Taipei. Do those who minister the word fast and pray before preaching? Clearly, there is no regulation requiring them to do so because it would be useless.

The brothers must understand that ministering the word of God is the same as leading men’s souls. The saints come to the meetings week after week to listen to us, so this must weigh on us. If, after three months, there is no change in their lives, we should not remain at ease.

This situation can be compared to that of a businessman who cannot sleep peacefully if he goes two weeks without doing business, and who cannot eat if he fails to make a profit for three straight months. He will be extremely anxious and worried.

Many businessmen come to see me. Although they are just sitting there silently, I can sense the burden within them and perceive that they are facing business difficulties. Are those who minister the word burdened for the souls that have not changed after three months? A shop owner without customers could not continue working as if everything was fine. He would analyze the situation and find a way to change it. How can those who minister the word carry on as usual without achieving any result? We cannot think that simply speaking from the pulpit week after week is enough.

When Brother Nee began his work in Foochow [capital of Fujian Province, southeast China], he fasted and prayed every Saturday for the Sunday gospel preaching meeting. He considered before the Lord what he should say and how he should say it. He pondered what words sinners needed to hear. Because he fasted and prayed with a heavy burden, his words were always very effective and were later published as messages.

Many who are used by the Lord have a burden in their ministry of the word. When Peace Wang was young, she had a fruitful revival work. She always knelt before the Lord and spent long hours weeping and being burdened for sinners. Thus, when she rose to speak, her words were always living and effective.

Serving with a burden

Our service is well-organized, yet we lack a burden. Having a burden means having a goal to reach. If we have not yet reached the goal or if we are unable to produce the expected results, we must be concerned. If we are able to serve without achieving any results, it is because we have no burden. Maintaining this attitude shows a lack of burden. Our ministry of the word must never reach this point. Therefore, those who minister the word must have a serious burden before the Lord, having no rest to relax or eat, even disturbing others so they will also have no peace.

This can be compared to the city of Jerusalem, which had no peace when the Lord Jesus was born (Matt. 2:1-18). Those who speak for the Lord must be sensitive enough to trouble the saints until they no longer have inner peace. When they have no peace, we will then have peace. The saints cannot love the world in peace. The saints cannot love the world and love the Lord. They cannot be lukewarm. Those who serve the Lord must have this kind of burden.

Many work for large companies. They work a fixed number of hours each day and simply perform the tasks assigned to them. They make no major mistakes and do not care whether the company makes a profit or not. These are employees without a burden; they serve without a burden. If we earn nothing from the first day of our own business, we must be concerned about our livelihood. If those who serve, whether in children’s or young people’s service, have this kind of awareness, they will succeed.

Complaining about failure because we are weak demonstrates a lack of burden. All those who serve must have a burden to the point of feeling responsible if the work is not fruitful. It must be like an entrepreneur who thinks about his business even while sleeping.

Enjoy more: Hymn 398

Administration of the church and the ministry of the Word, week 1, chapter 2, Friday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER TWO

WEEK 1 - FRIDAY

Bible Reading: Rom 12:6-9

Read and pray: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters," (Col 3:23)

PROBLEMS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND IN THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

THE FIRST PROBLEM: LACK OF BURDEN

The greatest problem in the administration of the church and in the ministry of the word is the lack of burden or, it can be said, not receiving a burden or not paying due attention to the burden received.

It is possible that the elders administer the church without having a burden. Those who minister the word may also do so without a burden. The release of a certain burden when we minister the word does not depend on being eloquent. If our only desire is to speak well to provoke certain emotions in people, our speaking will have been without burden.

Similarly, the ability to administer the church does not release the burden. It is not about our ability to manage, but about our administration being effective and able to touch people.

For example, when people come to the meeting, there may be a need to convey the word. We need to seek the Lord regarding what to speak and the result of our speaking. It is not a matter of speaking well or not, of the logistics of the presentation, or of the saints being touched, but of what will be produced in them.

If some of those present are still unsaved, we must have the burden of leading their souls by the grace of God, in order to plant in them the seed of salvation by speaking the word. Our burden, then, is salvation, and not the preaching of a dynamic message.

If they are already saved but do not love the Lord as they should, our burden must be to lead them to love the Lord. If they love the Lord but are unwilling to surrender to Him and receive His personal discipline, our burden must be to lead them to promptly surrender to the Lord and let Him deal with them. This is the ministry of the word with burden.

Otherwise, the Sunday meeting message may fall into the situation of the so-called Sunday services. Every week someone is assigned to preach a message to keep the meetings going. After the meeting, everyone goes home, has lunch, rests, and returns at night for the bread-breaking meeting. This is a Sunday service.

In this situation, those who minister the word need to have a burden. We need to know the condition of those who come to hear the message. Perhaps they themselves cannot perceive their condition, but we need to have total and very clear perception regarding their condition.

They may be able to sit and quietly listen to the word, week after week, but we cannot speak peacefully week after week. We need to receive the burden in order to "disturb" them and "trouble" them in such a way that when they come to the meeting feeling peaceful, they leave internally disturbed.

If we do not care that our preaching produces no effect on those who hear it, it is because we have no burden. This situation indicates that both the speaker and the listeners are in a routine. This is the condition of degraded Christianity, where the congregation routinely listens to the pastor, and he, in turn, routinely preaches to the congregation year after year. This must not be our practice.

The ministry of the word must enlighten those who hear. When we minister the word every Sunday, we must "trouble" people to such an extent that they have no more peace. This is what it means to have a burden.

If the listeners are indifferent, even if they quietly listen, the one who ministers the word must not remain calm. Instead, he must place himself before the Lord and let the Lord take away his peace, to the point of losing sleep and not eating, until he has received a burden from the Lord. Only then will his messages allow the Holy Spirit to operate in the listeners. Only this kind of speaking is God's speaking.

Those who minister the word need to have a burden; not just doctrines, logical arrangements, and examples. Ministering the word in this way is inadmissible; it is an offense to God and a sin in His eyes.

Receiving the burden to speak the word of God

in the ministry of the word

In Isaiah 13:1, the Chinese Union Version states that the prophets received inspiration when they spoke on behalf of God. The Hebrew word for inspiration, however, means burden [or weight - KJV].

Man needs to receive a burden. We cannot neglect our responsibility and think that God did not give us a burden. Paul's Epistles clearly demonstrate that he received burdens. When someone in the church in Corinth committed the sin of fornication, Paul did not simply condemn the sin or stop praying for the one who sinned. He received from God the burden to assume responsibility and commission on behalf of the church (1 Cor 5:1-13). Paul did not preach doctrines in his epistles; instead, he had the burden to share certain matters in such a way that he could touch people's feelings.

There is the danger that the ministry of the word in the church in Taipei becomes like the sermon preaching in Sunday services. When we minister the word of God, our attention must be focused on God's speaking, not on the topic we are going to speak about.

For God to speak, those who minister the word need to receive a burden. People may even react negatively or be deeply touched when they hear a message transmitted with burden, yet they cannot deny that it is God's speaking. This kind of message can help people and solve their problems.

A message that sounds pleasant but is devoid of God's speaking cannot touch people or make them turn inward, nor satisfy the hungry and thirsty, because these are not the words God wants to convey, even if they are taken from the Bible.

Therefore, we must not speak in such a comfortable or trivial way. We cannot simply speak because we prepared a message. Those who minister the word must bring people's condition before God. They have the responsibility to know their needs, be sensitive to their condition, and know what God wants to speak.

The help we receive in training cannot replace the burden within us. The danger is that the burden has been replaced so that we are devoid of revelation and spiritual burden.

Enjoy more: Hymn 398

Church Administration and the Ministry of the Word, week 1, chapter 1, Thursday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER ONE

WEEK 1 - THURSDAY

Bible Reading: Mt 16:21-27

Read and pray: "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is the footstool for My feet; what kind of house will you build Me, says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest?" (Acts 7:49)

GOD'S BUILDING OCCURS

WHEN WE ARE DISCIPLINED

God wants to take the way of building, but the problem He faces is our person. We are the problem. Those who administrate the church and minister the word are full of problems. Our way and doctrine are not the problem; rather, the problem is our deficiencies. We have reached a critical point in our service.

The church in Taipei has already been here for eight years, from 1949 to 1957. If we continue as we are, our work will not produce results. We will only have endless problems and continuous losses; there will be no increase in blessing. As long as those who serve continue according to the traditional way, our work will have no future. For the sake of God’s building and the future of our work, may the Lord have mercy on us to understand that the problem is not in our doctrine or practice, but in ourselves.

We need to consider the condition of our work and our current situation before the Lord. This does not mean that we should be introspective. We need to be enlightened and receive help through this fellowship. We need to be still before the Lord and allow Him to shine on us, speak to us, touch us, and deal with us. Unless we pass through the Lord's hands that can deal with us, much of our outward activity will be vain and insignificant.

If God does not deal with us thoroughly, His building will not be accomplished, regardless of the methods we use. For God's building to be accomplished properly, He needs to deal deeply with us in the aspects of church administration and the ministry of the word.

In the administration of the church, the brothers who serve as elders need to be personally disciplined. Those who speak on behalf of God also need personal discipline. Otherwise, our administration of the church and our ministering will not result in the reality of building.

May we all have a heart that fears the Lord and is able to realize that the building of the church depends on the person of those who administrate the church and those who minister the word. If we allow God to deal with us, our work will have an impact, even if our method is inferior. Otherwise, our work will cause the building to collapse despite the methodology we use.

At present, God is concerned with the building. The building depends on the condition of our person. May we all be still before the Lord and grant Him permission to shine on us and

speak to us.

Enjoy more: Hymn 236

Administration of the church and the ministry of the Word, week 1, chapter 1, Wednesday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH
AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER ONE

WEEK 1 - WEDNESDAY

Bible Reading: Acts 7:44-50

Read and pray: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28)

LEARNING THE PRINCIPLES TO ADMINISTER
THE CHURCH AND MINISTER THE WORD

Perhaps we do not have the ability to speak and exercise the ministry of the word like prophets, and not all of us have the ability to administer the churches like elders. However, there must be good elders and brothers capable of effectively ministering the word among us.

In principle, those who participate in God's work must learn to administer the church and exercise the ministry of the word. Although sisters, in the position of having their heads covered, should not be "female elders," in principle, they should learn to administer like the elders. All those who, in some way, participate in the work of God's building must learn to administer the church and minister the word.

All who serve must know these two matters. If we do not know them, we are not fit for God's work. The administration of the church and the ministry of the word are two lessons we must learn because the building up of the church depends on them.

The development of the church first requires the administration of the church and then the ministry of the word. However, the sequence in the Bible presents these two matters in reverse order. When the church is living in normality, the administration of the church is not so crucial. However, when the church enters into degradation and disorder, there is a need for the administration of the church and the ministry of the word.

These two matters go hand in hand; it is difficult to say which comes first and which follows. Therefore, the brothers, especially those who minister the word and serve as elders, need to realize the responsibility they have.

The conditions of God's building—whether a church is strong or weak—depend on its administration carried out by the elders and on the word delivered by the ministry. The elders and those who minister the word are skilled workers, and they are assisted by others who do not have the same skill.

This can be compared to the construction of a house with skilled workers along with others who are not as skilled. Whenever the skilled workers are weak, the administration of the church and the ministry of the word there will be weak, and the less skilled co-workers will be confused and not know what to do. But whenever the more skilled workers are strong in carrying out the work, it will be easy for the others to cooperate.

This is the condition of the local church. When the ministry of the word and the administration of the church are strong, those who do not have much experience can have a beautiful coordinated action. However, when the administration of the elders and the ministry of the word are weakened, the church will be in disorder, even if the saints are busy preaching the gospel and instructing others with all zeal. In this case, the building up will not happen, because the more they "build," the more it will collapse. The building up of the church depends on the administration of the church and the ministry of the word. Those involved in the work need to understand the principle of these two matters.

THE CONDITION OF THE ADMINISTRATION

OF THE CHURCH AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD DEPENDS ON OUR PERSON

The condition of the administration of the church and the ministry of the word depends on us. We are the ones who determine the condition of these two things. The central work of God is building up, which in turn depends on the administration of the church and the ministry of the word. The kind of person we are determines how we administer the church and minister the word. These two services cannot be independent of our person.

This is similar to the fact that houses built by Westerners have a Western appearance, while houses built by Chinese people have a Chinese appearance. We build according to our personality. This is especially true in spiritual matters. For this reason, it is inadequate to simply study how to administer the church and minister the word. Rather, we need to understand that the way is ourselves. The way of administering the church is related to the person who administers it, and the kind of person we are determines how we administer. It is inadequate to learn simply in an external way; we need to deal with ourselves.

After a long period without rest, I gained from God the inward realization that He is carrying out a work of building up in this age. In Manila, the capital of the Philippines, I released more than fifteen messages related to building up. When I went to Hong Kong, the brothers wanted me to perfect them in certain matters.

I emphasized to those who served that it is inadequate to simply be busy doing something. We need to understand that God desires building up. During this period in Taipei, I was able to perceive many things concerning God's building and those who serve. When I envision the two together—God's building and those who serve—I feel very sad and inwardly burdened, because our condition is far from God's building.

Enjoy more: Hymn 290

Church Administration and the Ministry of the Word, Week 1, Chapter 1, Tuesday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER ONE
WEEK 1 - TUESDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Cor. 14:1, 12; 2 Tim. 2:2

Read and pray: “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it” (1 Cor. 3:10).

GOD'S CENTRAL WORK IS BUILDING

God's central work is building. Building is not about understanding doctrines, saving sinners, or even instructing the saints. Although the New Testament refers to the individual instruction of the saints, it focuses on the building of the house of God.

Many times, we are deeply moved regarding the salvation of sinners and the instruction of the saints, yet we lack sensitivity regarding the building of the house of God. This does not mean that we should not be concerned with saving sinners and instructing the saints, but we need to understand what the ultimate goal of God’s work in this present age is.

Since Paul had a clear vision concerning building, he stated: “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it” (1 Cor. 3:10). We need to be careful about how we build, the materials we use, and the outcome of the building.

May the brothers realize that saving sinners and instructing the saints are related to the central goal of building the house of God. If we pay attention to this central work, our gospel preaching to save sinners will be more effective, and our efforts to instruct the saints will not create problems.

For example, our failure in building the house of God is the fundamental reason why the brothers in Taipei seem to lack the necessary strength to preach the gospel. The key to this is the building of the house of God. If the house of God, the Body of Christ, can be built up, the salvation of sinners and the instruction of the saints will flow very easily.

THE KEY TO THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH -

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

The two most important aspects concerning the building of the church, the house of God, are the administration of the church and the ministry of the word. If the administration of a church is lacking, there will not be much building. Likewise, if the ministry of the word is ineffective in a particular church, there will not be much building there either.

For many years, we have used the word instruction or education, but now we need to use the word building. The saints, individually, need instruction; the church, as a corporate entity, as the Body of Christ and the house of God, needs to be built. The building of the church depends on its administration and the ministry of the word.

According to the New Testament, all our speaking should be for the building of the church. In 1 Corinthians 14:12, Paul states: “So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”

Verse 1 says: “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” The most excellent gift for the building of the church is prophecy because prophesying is related to the ministry of the word.

In 1 and 2 Timothy, when the church was in desolation, there was a need to add the administration of the church to the ministry of the word. The responsibility for church administration belongs to the elders. After the church reached such a lamentable state, the apostle spoke about its administration in 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. Church administration becomes crucial when the church is in a desolate and confused state.

The administration of the church and other topics related to the elders are not addressed in the book of Romans. However, 1 and 2 Timothy clearly speak of administration by the elders because at that time the church was in a deplorable condition.

If we understand the principle of the Bible, we will comprehend what the Holy Spirit means. In the early stage of the church, God led and built it through the ministry of the word. However, after some time, the ministry of the word alone was not sufficient; the administration of the church had to come into play.

For this reason, in 1 and 2 Timothy, we find both church administration and the ministry of the word. Paul says: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). Here we see both the ministry of the word and the administration of the church.

After some time, as the church became established, the need arose for both its administration and the ministry of the word. Both are necessary for building. If the administration of a church and the ministry of the word are deficient, the church will not be built. When the administration of the church and the ministry of the word are strong, the church can be built. May the Lord open our eyes to the fact that God's central work in this age is His building—that He wants to build His house, the Body of Christ, the church.

Since we take part in His building, we need to understand the administration of the church and the ministry of the word. The ministry of the word is related to gift, and the administration of the church is related to office. Both are for the building of the church. What we speak as prophets is for the ministry of the word and is related to the gift. The service of the elders is for the administration of the church and is related to the aspect of office.

Enjoy More: Hymn S-51