The administration of the church and the ministry of the word, week 7, chapter 10, Wednesday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER TEN: THE CHOICE OF MATERIAL
FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

WEEK 7 - WEDNESDAY

Bible Reading: Romans 12:3-8; 1 Timothy 4:6-16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Read and Pray: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God;" (1 Peter 4:11)

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

IS FOR PEOPLE TO RECEIVE

THE SUPPLY OF LIFE

A minister of the word must be attentive to the material he uses. The choice of material is important and involves many details. Those who minister the word must understand that the goal of the ministry of the word is to give life.

The exercise of the ministry of the word must also present solutions to people’s problems and generate in them a feeling of need. It should not only provide material for reflection. In exercising the ministry of the word, we need to supply people with life, solve their problems, and generate in them a sense of need. We must follow these principles when choosing the material for the ministry of the word.

More books have been produced on topics related to Christianity than on any other subject. The number of books published on biblical exposition is especially large. If any minister of the word thinks that he does not need to use material extracted from publications of others, he is proud and foolish.

A minister of the word may also be tempted to believe that he only needs material extracted from books published in Christianity. A minister who thinks this way has lost his ministry of the word. A minister of the word should not depend solely on material found in books.

THE BASIC MATERIAL FOR THE MINISTRY

OF THE WORD CONSISTS OF LESSONS

LEARNED PERSONALLY AND CHARGES

RECEIVED FROM THE LORD

The basic material for the ministry of the word should consist of the lessons a person has learned and the charges received from the Lord. We want to preach a message based on a lesson we have learned and a charge received. We can consult other people to learn their perspectives, explanations, and illustrations regarding the lesson we have learned and the charge received.

Regularly reading reference books helps to expand our knowledge, but if a minister of the word compiles his messages from reference books without having learned any lesson or received any charge, his message will be degraded and useless. The ministry of the word is based on the lessons we have already learned and the charges we have already received.

If a minister of the word has not learned any lessons and never received any charge from the Lord, he should not speak from the pulpit.

For this reason, those who minister the word need to continuously learn lessons through the Lord’s work in both large and small things. They also need to learn to receive charges. They must receive a charge to preach the gospel and deliver a specific message. They must always receive charges.

Although the brothers love the Lord with all their fervor, there is a lack of edification among us. Therefore, there is a need to receive charges in order to lead them to a deep sense that they need edification. We must receive a charge from the Lord and release it through the ministry of the word.

DO NOT BE PROUD,

BUT KEEP THE HEART

We should not be proud in the ministry of the word. It is foolish to feel pride as we prepare, thinking that our material is better than others. Even if it is indeed better, by consulting others, our knowledge will be expanded, and our perception of the word will be deepened.

Thus, as we choose material for the ministry of the word, we should verify and ensure that the lessons learned and the charge received are our foundation; on the other hand, we should keep our hearts to avoid feeling pride.

What a person speaks is degraded and sinful if they have to research books because they have nothing to say. Releasing the word not based on personal experience or a charge received from the Lord is an offense to God. Speaking with this negligence is sin.

Every message must be based on personal experience and released from a charge. This is the fundamental basis for releasing the word. When releasing it, we should not be proud. We must be open to using reference books and receiving help from others. For example, if we read a book many years ago on a certain topic, it will not hurt to read it again. Our heart and attitude at the moment should be to consult other sources of material and receive help from others. However, we should not collect material indiscriminately. This is the right attitude and the correct heart.

CHOOSE MATERIAL THAT IS LIVING,

NOT THAT WHICH IS NEW AND UNUSUAL

When preparing to minister the word, we must seek living material, not dead. If the one ministering the word wants to be different from others, he will be tempted to choose new and unusual material, but it will also be dead. Because of this, his messages will be trivial and will lack the flavor of life.

Therefore, when preparing a message, we must avoid the idea of being original by using new and unusual material. Instead, we should strive to release living messages full of the supply of life.

For example, even though others have spoken about regeneration many times, we should continue to speak about this subject. Regeneration is an old topic, with nothing new or unusual, but if our material is alive, our speech will be full of supply and flavor.

If our only concern is telling stories and neglecting the supply of life, we are mere storytellers. Though the saints may laugh, our speech is an offense to the Lord.

Enjoy more: Hymn 398

The administration of the church and the ministry of the word, week 7, chapter 9, Tuesday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH
AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER NINE: THE MEANING OF BUILDING

IS IN THE BUILDING OF GOD'S AUTHORITY

OVER MAN

WEEK 7 - TUESDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Chr 11:5,7; Ne 4:7-8, 17; 6:1-9

Read and pray: "Let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Corinthians 14:40)

KNOWING THE DEVICES OF THE ENEMY

The Old Testament says that the city of David was his fortress (1 Chr 11:5,7). Therefore, when Nehemiah proceeded with the restoration of the city, the enemies appeared (Ne 4:7-8) and those building did the work with one hand and held the weapon in the other (v. 17). This picture is obvious. It typifies that those who build the church must work in the building of the work and fight at the same time. Authority is protection for the church.

We need to fight for it. To fight for the authority of the church, we must learn the lesson. When we lead the brothers to love the Lord and live for Him, enabling them to obtain God's continuous presence, we do not face much opposition. However, as we lead the church to have proper order and submit to God's authority, the enemy attacks.

The book of Nehemiah shows us that the first device of the enemy is not a frontal attack. He attacks from the flanks. All those involved in the work of building need to learn to fight in the spiritual battle. First, we need to know how to deal with the enemy's devices.

Paul says we need to stand firm against the wiles of the devil (Eph 6:11). We do not ignore his schemes. Whenever we build order in the church, Satan uses cunning means to destroy our work. He will make a beautiful proposal through a beloved brother. If we accept it, the entire building will be destroyed.

The wiles of the enemy can often be seen in the church. He carries out a very treacherous work, aimed at damaging the order in the church in order to demolish the walls of the city. In the spiritual battle, it is more important to understand the wiles or devices of the enemy than to wield a sword to fight with him.

This is what Nehemiah did. First, he understood the devices of the enemy. So, when the enemy said, "Come, let us meet," Nehemiah's response was, "None of what you say happened; you are inventing it from your own heart" (Ne 6:1-9). Nehemiah was able to see through the enemy's devices.

Therefore, in the work of building, we need to know the people, the issues, and the devices of the enemy. Our knowledge of the wiles of the enemy depends on knowing the people and the issues. If we do not know the people and their matters, the enemy can hide in them.

Had Nehemiah accepted the enemy's suggestions, he would have fallen victim to their traps. If we do not know a certain issue or matter, we do not know what the wiles of the enemy are, and it will be easy to fall victim to his schemes. The enemy desires to destroy God's authority and order in the church.

For example, there once arose a problem regarding the size of the cup to be used for the Lord's table—whether to use only one large cup or several small individual cups. This problem is actually a matter of authority, not the size of the cup.

In principle, the elders of our district or church should have the administrative authority to determine the size of the cup. The administrative authority on this issue belongs to the elders, not to those responsible for the group meetings.

This is not a minor issue but a fundamental principle. If we want to build and administer the church, the determination of the type of cup will not depend on discerning the truth, but on the decision of the elders. We must obey the representative authority of the elders.

Even if the church in a city uses a large cup, but the district wants to use small cups, the decision will still depend on the elders. It is an administrative matter.

There is no need for debate about the size of the cup for the Lord's table meeting or what to use for the baptismal font, aside from the decision of the elders. Such discussions only lead to chaos and disorder. This indicates a lack of understanding of the issue of authority. In other words, there will be no building in this fundamental aspect.

In principle, we can express our opinion anywhere that is not the church. If we want to follow the way of the Gentiles and practice democracy, we lose God's presence and protection. We need to know God's work of building and His presence and authority.

In matters related to the church, those who serve the Lord should not speak freely. Expressing our opinions makes the church a debating club. This does not mean we should not express our thoughts, but rather that we need to be aware of God's authority.

A brother responsible for a group meeting should deal with problems through the appropriate channel. He can share with the elders and let them know his feelings and perceptions. The problem should be brought to the elders. The elders should not hastily reject the perspective shared by the brother. Instead, they should bring the brother's feelings before the Lord and see how the Lord leads them. This is appropriate.

The responsible brother should then follow the decision of the elders without offering personal judgment. The elders may choose to follow the brother's understanding. They may also come to understand that the entire church should follow the same path. This is an appropriate church.

BUILDING PROPER AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH

The church should function this way, and the administration of any country should also function this way. New measures to be taken do not originate from fights. For a new measure to become law, the legislative body of a country must function appropriately and in order.

Quarrels are ineffective. We need to learn this lesson. When a problem presents itself to us, we should not express numerous differing opinions. There is no need to start disputes in the church. On the contrary, we should build authority, the wall, to protect all the saints in the church. We must learn this lesson if we want to work seriously.

Satan's device is to damage God's building. For this reason, we should not encourage an environment of free expression of personal opinions. Such an environment will bring harm to the church. We should not encourage carnal activities or the expression of human opinions in the church.

We must receive the Lord's working and allow Him to build Himself in us. Those who have already learned the lesson before the Lord and have been perfected know that there is order in the church. This does not mean that they are the authority, but that they maintain the position.

If we have not learned the lesson and been built by the Lord, our work will not be for building. Those saved through us will not know how to conduct themselves because we have not been built by God. Those we instruct will also not know how to behave. We will not be able to build because we have not gone through the building process. As a result, the Lord will not have a way in us.

Current Christianity is chaotic. There are many opportunities for those heading toward chaos. They can even start a congregation however they see fit. However, those who wish to do the work of God's building need to learn very important lessons and see through the enemy's devices.

This is not an issue related to truth. Our opinion may be right, yet we may not walk according to the established order, not obey authority, and not be worked on. Since we have not learned the lesson, we do not know the church.

A brother responsible for a group meeting has no authority to decide something regarding the administration of the church. If the churches in Taiwan use large cups for the Lord's table, it is foolish for a group meeting to change to small cups. This proves that we have not yet learned the lessons and do not yet know the church and the building. It shows that we are presumptuous and insolent.

We need to learn this solemn lesson, and then we will be able to do an equally serious work. This work will be valuable because it will be the building. Building authority does not mean building our own authority, but building God's order in the church.

When someone comes into contact with this authority, they will realize that this is indeed the church, and God's order is present here. God will have a way, and so will we. For centuries, many people have followed the way of institutionalized Christianity. However, this is not God's way. May the Lord give us grace to know His building regarding the administration of the church and the ministry of the word.

Enjoy more: Hymn 384

The Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, week 7, chapter 9, Monday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER NINE: THE MEANING OF BUILDING

IS IN BUILDING GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER MAN

WEEK 7 - MONDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Chron. 11:5,7; Neh. 4:7-8, 17; Eph. 6:11

Read and pray: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph. 6:11)

THE TEMPLE AND THE CITY ARE EQUALLY CRUCIAL

Our work is to help people understand what it means to have the mingling of God with man and to be under divine authority. Without the mingling and the authority of God, there can be no building. Without the temple, there is no habitation; without the city, there is no protection.

In other words, if we know God's presence without knowing His authority, we have neither the city nor the temple. God's presence will eventually be lost because there is no protection. We must have both God's presence and His authority in order to have protection.

Building always involves warfare. Ephesians 2 speaks of building, and chapter six speaks of spiritual warfare. The battle is related to the city, not to the temple. The battle is for God's authority, not merely for His presence.

When Nehemiah returned to build the city, he encountered warfare (Neh. 4:7-8). It seems that the enemy was not as concerned with frustrating the building of the temple as he was with the building of the city. This is because the city involves God's authority. The enemy knows very well that if there is no city, the temple can be easily destroyed; thus, his attacks are aimed at matters of authority and order. Without the city, the temple has no protection.

Satan knows that God's presence can be easily destroyed when there is no order and no authority in the church. Every worker of the Lord must understand the meaning of building the church. Building the church means building God's authority into it.

If a church in a city has only zeal, cordiality, and mutual love, but lacks order and authority, it is in error. It has no protection. Although it may seem fine today, the lack of protection can cause it to collapse tomorrow.

Loving one another does not necessarily mean having God's presence, for it can stem from natural human affection and lack God's mingling. Even if we have the mingling of God, if we do not have His authority, there is no protection. Authority must be established in the church.

A church will be very weak if, when situations arise, the brothers have differing opinions. Instead of having a building, there will only be a pile of stones. A strong church is full of God's presence and His authority, thus having both the temple and the city.

It is difficult to find God's authority in institutionalized Christianity. Most groups are full of human opinions. They boast about being democratic, but are filled with human opinions and lack God's authority. This was the situation of the church in Laodicea. This is why deacons argue with elders and elders argue with pastors.

Our intention is not to criticize others but to reveal the truth that if we disregard God's authority and emphasize human opinions, the result will be endless debate.

The church of God is both a temple and a city. In God's church, there is the temple and the city—God's presence and His authority. We must consider what kind of work we are doing. Are we building the church or institutionalized Christianity? We must first know whether we are under God's authority and whether we are maintaining our place in His planned order.

Few people understand that building the church means building God's presence and authority. From now on, however, we must realize that building the Body of Christ is building the mingling of God with man and building God's authority over man. This is the work we must carry out.

ALLOWING GOD TO BE BUILT WITHIN US

Being built in God means allowing Him to work in us and mingle with us in everything. If we are built by God and are subject to His authority, we can then help others by carrying out a work of building in them.

When we work on others, we first add God to them so that they may have His presence in their daily walk and living. In this way, they become the temple of God.

We must then carry out another work in them so that they may know God's authority. This corresponds to building the wall in them. In this way, they will have both God's presence and His authority. They will be people built up no matter where they go. They will know what it means to have God's presence and mingling, as well as His authority and order. They will have been built.

Some may be zealous but do not have God's temple or His city. They may have a measure of His presence but do not understand His authority. There is a measure of Ezra's restoration, but nothing of Nehemiah's restoration. Yet there are others who have both the temple and the city. They have God's presence and His authority. In everything, they have the mingling of God and are under His authority. They maintain order and are under authority. They also reign because they have divine authority. In other words, they possess the city of God. Having the city of God within us provides protection for our spiritual condition.

Enjoy more: Hymn 217

The administration of the church and the ministry of the word, week 7, chapter 9, Sunday.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER NINE: THE MEANING OF BUILDING IS IN

THE BUILDING OF GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER MAN

WEEK 7 - SUNDAY

Bible Reading: Gn 11:1-9; Mt 8:5-13; Jd 9

Read and pray: "There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him" (Rev 22:3)

THE BUILDING OF THE CITY OF GOD

There is a distinction between the temple and the city. The temple emphasizes dwelling, habitation. The city is related to administration. Therefore, the temple concerns His presence and the city His sovereign authority, His power. When the New Jerusalem comes into view, these two aspects will be combined. The New Jerusalem is a city, which is a matter of authority, and it is also the tabernacle of God with men, which concerns the aspect of dwelling.

Thus, in the New Jerusalem, we see both the presence of God and His authority. Although the two aspects are combined, the emphasis in the city is on authority. This is why the center of the New Jerusalem is the throne of God and of the Lamb, which concerns the sovereign power of God, His authority (Rev 22:3).

THE BUILDING OF THE CITY IS THE BUILDING

OF GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER MAN

Building the temple is building God's dwelling so that He has a base in the human being, dwells in him, and is mingled with him. Building the city is building God's sovereign power, His authority over man.

First, we need to build the presence of God in man. This is the first step. Then we need to build the sovereign power, the divine authority, over man. This is the final step.

For this reason, first, we have the church, the house of God, His temple, and then we have the manifestation of the New Jerusalem. In the work of building, we always build the temple first, then the city. God's presence comes before His authority. First, we build the mingling of God with man, then we build His authority over man.

Although the temple is the center, the protection is in the city. A person who only has the temple element, and not the city one, is without protection. If there is only the restoration of the temple, without the city, the temple will be unprotected. This is why, after the temple was restored by Ezra, Nehemiah still needed to restore the city. There were no battles during the restoration of the temple because the issue of protection was not a problem; however, there was a threat of war when the city was restored because the city was related to protection.

The presence of God does not imply the existence of battles, but God's authority is related to combat. Satan's work in people is to destroy God's authority, not His presence. God's primary purpose is His authority, not His presence. The extreme manifestation in the Bible is a city with the throne of God in the center. This means that God's primary goal is to accomplish something where He reigns and establishes His throne.

When we are mingled with God and have His presence in us, we can be united with others as the temple of God. Those who are mingled with God and have His presence inside can be united to be the temple of God. However, this does not make us the city of God. We need to be built to the point of being under God's authority, having His sovereign power over us. Only then can we be united to become a city. If we are only mingled with God, He can only have a dwelling. For Him to reign among us, we need to have His authority over us.

Thus, the meaning of building is to build God's presence in people and His kingdom over them, that is, to build the mingling of God in them and His rule over them. If there is neither temple nor city on earth, God will be confined to the heavens and can only reign in the heavens. Only when there is a temple on earth can God dwell on earth, and only when there is a city on earth can His will be done and His kingdom exercised here.

In other words, when we have been built by God within and thus have His presence, we will be united with those who have also been built by God and therefore also have His presence in order to become His temple. Then, when we have God's authority and His reigning over us, we can be united with those who are also under His authority to become a city.

For this reason, we need to allow God to work in us so that we may be built. If there is any aspect where we are not mingled with God, we will not be His temple. If we do not allow Him to reign in us in a certain aspect, we will not be His city. We need to let Him build in us.

Once built, we will know if the inner being of someone with whom we come into contact is desolate or has the presence of the Lord. We will also know if they have been built and have God's temple in them. They may sincerely love the Lord, but we only find desolation in their inner being. They do not have the presence of the Lord when dealing with various things. At most, we can perceive that they are zealous, active, and determined, but we cannot identify the temple in them. We cannot come into contact with God's presence in them. Therefore, they cannot serve in a coordinated way with other Christians.

To help a person in this condition, we need to do the work of building in order to build God in their inner being. In other words, we need to build God's presence in their inner being so that they have, to some degree, the temple, the presence, and the mingling of God.

In this small measure of God's presence and mingling, we are also built in them. With this small measure of God's presence and mingling, they can also unite with us. With this small measure of God's presence and mingling, they are built and not isolated. The more we work in this person, the more God's presence and mingling in their inner being will grow. God's temple in them will grow, and their union with others will increase. The more they are built in this way, the more they will be saved from being independent. The more they are built in this way, the more they will be saved from being individualistic and will learn to be united with others in order to be built together.

After we have worked with a person for some time, they will have some building in themselves and will eventually have God's temple in them. However, they still do not have the city of God; they still do not know God's authority, His sovereign power. The city is entirely a matter of authority.

When the city and the tower of Babel were built on the earth, man subverted God's authority (Gn 11:3-4). When we build God's temple in someone's inner being, we must also build the city of God in them: His sovereign power, His authority. Then they will learn to have not only God's presence but also to be under His authority in everything.

What does it mean to be under God's authority? What is authority? We need to see that there is not only authority and order in the church, but also to know that the entire universe is a matter of authority. For example, when the archangel Michael contended with the devil over the body of Moses, he did not dare to pronounce a judgment against the devil. He simply said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (Jd 9). This is a matter of authority.

In Matthew 8, the centurion said to the Lord Jesus, "For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it" (v. 9). This is also a matter of authority. The whole universe is a matter of authority, of order. There is order in our home. Order involves authority. This applies even more to the church.

Since the beginning of Genesis, the universe has been in chaos because it has lost order. In the New Testament, starting with the Gospel of Matthew, God carries out a work of restoration. As He does so, more and more order is established. When we reach the end of Revelation, everything is in perfect order. Therefore, when the city is manifested, everything will be under authority. The building work we carry out begins with building God mingled with man and culminates in the building of God's authority over man. The more a person is mingled with God and the more divine authority they have over them, the more they will be united with others. Having only good conduct is not enough in the church, because the church is a matter of being built under God's authority.

Appréciez davantage : Hymn 384

The administration of the church and the ministry of the word, week 6, chapter 9, Saturday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER NINE: THE MEANING OF BUILDING

IS IN THE BUILDING OF GOD’S AUTHORITY

OVER MAN

WEEK 6 - SATURDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Kings 8:10-11; 1 Corinthians 6:19

Read and pray: "Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you?" (1 Corinthians 6:19)

THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE IS THE BUILDING

OF THE BLENDING OF GOD WITH MAN

Building the church, the Body of Christ, is a general expression in the Bible. A more specific and better-defined expression is the building of the temple and the city. The emphasis of the temple is on the presence of God, on the blending of God and man. For this reason, to build the temple is to build the blending of God with man.

To begin with, 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you?" We are the sanctuary or temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in us. This is the blending of God with man. The temple concerns the blending of God with man. After the temple was built, the glory of the Lord filled the entire temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). This temple represents the people of Israel as God's dwelling place; God dwelled among them.

In the administration of the church and the ministry of the word, we are building the church. We are building the blending of God with man in people. The purpose of the church administration is to produce the blending of God with the human being. The purpose of our ministry of the word is also to produce such a blending. If we produce the blending of God with man, we build the temple.

This principle can be applied to many situations. Perhaps two brothers live together but do not get along. They do not quarrel and are polite, but there is no building between them. I ask, "Is the presence of God with them? Is the temple of God there?" If there is no building between them, they do not have the presence of God or the temple of God with them. They are independent persons, and neither of them cares about the matters of the other. They are just two brothers who serve the Lord together and live in the same house. They do not have the presence of God, His temple.

If we have already been built up and have learned the lesson of building, we will realize that there is a lack of blending among these brothers. Both have a large amount of ego, and thus there is not much blending with the Lord. For this reason, our task is to build them up so that Christ may be more blended with them. We need to pay more attention to the part of their being that does not allow them to be blended with God. If they allow these parts to be worked on, they will be blended with God, and thus the temple of God will be within them. The extent of our union with others depends on how much we have been blended with God. This is the building and the temple of God with His presence.

Whenever we provide true spiritual help to people, we enable them to be more blended with God. The more they are blended with God, the more they will be united with other members of the Body of Christ. Those who lack the element of God cannot be one with other believers. Therefore, the brothers who speak from the pulpit must ensure that their words result in God being more blended with the saints.

If we work with the young people, the messages we preach must lead them to be more blended with God. If our messages do not produce this result, our work will not be a work of building. We will not build the temple. The work that builds the temple is the one that allows God to obtain a dwelling place for Himself. It allows God to dwell within the innermost being of man. Our work must cause God to dwell even more in man and be blended with him.

Enjoy more: Hymn 374

The Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, Week 6, Chapter 9, Friday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH
AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER NINE: THE MEANING OF BUILDING

IS IN THE BUILDING UP OF GOD’S AUTHORITY

OVER MAN

WEEK 6 – FRIDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Kings 8:12–21; Ephesians 2:22; 4:11–15; Hebrews 11:10

Read and pray: “By faith he lived as a foreigner in the land of promise, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Heb. 11:9–10)

Most people think that building enables us to act in coordination with one another so that we are no longer separate individuals, but a corporate Body. However, the true meaning of building is to build Christ into the believers. When Christ is built into the believers, they become His Body.

In Ephesians 4:11–12, Paul says that God gave the church various gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ, the building of the church. In 1 Corinthians 3, he refers to the building of the Body as the building of the dwelling place of God. The Body and the dwelling place are exactly the same. Paul tells us to use gold, silver, and precious stones for the building. If we build with wood, hay, and straw, our work will be consumed (vv. 12–15).

Verse 12 of chapter three shows us that the materials for building are gold, silver, and precious stones. Gold represents the divine nature of God the Father, silver represents the redemption of Christ the Son, and precious stones represent the transforming work of the Spirit. This teaches us that the material to be used in building is the Triune God—the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. In other words, the building is constructed with the divine nature of the Father, the redemption of the Son, and the transforming work of the Spirit. This verse, however, does not tell us what we are building. For example, brick, stone, or wood refers to the material used in construction, but house, classroom, or auditorium refers to the building itself.

According to the Bible, there are two aspects of God’s building in the universe: one refers to a dwelling, and the other to a city. Everything related to building is connected to either a dwelling or a city. Whether God or man builds, there are only these two aspects of building: the dwelling and the city. Dwelling, temple, and palace all refer to the same one thing.

A temple is a dwelling place, and so is a palace. With the exception of the tower of Babel, every construction mentioned in the Bible refers to a dwelling or a city. Today, God is building a dwelling. The church is His dwelling, His house. When this building is completed, it will become a city: the New Jerusalem. According to Ephesians 2:22, God is building a dwelling, and according to Hebrews 11:10, He is building a city with foundations.

THE BUILDING OF GOD’S TEMPLE

In the Old Testament, the holy temple typifies the dwelling place of God, and the holy city typifies the New Jerusalem. When the people of Israel entered Canaan, from their point of view, they received the blessing of a land flowing with milk and honey. But from the divine point of view, they were building a temple and a city for God (1 Kings 8:12–21). The Israelites took the holy temple and the holy city, Jerusalem, to be their center.

When the people of Israel entered Canaan, their task was to build the temple and the city. All of God's relationship with His people in the Old Testament was related to the temple and the city. That is why the psalmists frequently spoke of the holy temple and the holy city. This is the central matter between God and His people.

Satan, God's enemy, did everything he could to destroy God’s relationship with His people. He did this by destroying the holy temple and the holy city. After the destruction of the temple and the holy city, there was a restoration among the people of Israel. The building had to be restored. The holy temple and the holy city had to be built. This shows that the building up of the Body of Christ is the building up of God’s temple on one hand and of God’s city on the other.

On one hand, the Body of Christ is the house, the dwelling, and the temple of God; on the other hand, it is the church and the bride of Christ. In Revelation 21 we find a city—the New Jerusalem. The holy city is the bride. Therefore, the church relates to both the temple and the city. To build the church is to build the temple and the city of God.

Enjoy more: Hymn 349

The Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, Week 6, Chapter 8, Thursday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER EIGHT:

THE BUILDING UP OF THE CHURCH REQUIRES

KNOWLEDGE OF DIFFERENT MATTERS

WEEK 6 – THURSDAY

Bible Reading: Gen. 40:20–22; Job 1:4, 13, 18–19; Matt. 14:6–10

Read and Pray: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him;” (1 John 2:15)

BEING ALERT AGAINST NATIONAL

SUPERIORITY FEELINGS AND

WORLDLY HABITS

The building up of the church does not depend on assuming that everything coming from the West is always good. Even if eighty percent of the things that come from the West are good, at least twenty percent of the things in the East are also good. We should not think that Western people are one hundred percent right. Otherwise, the churches in the East and the West will not be built up together.

Two days ago, a brother from the West said that several servants from the workers’ house attended a birthday party with his family. He had invited them to rejoice with them on his child’s birthday. We should not bring worldly habits into our midst. Since we took the way of the Lord’s recovery, we have not celebrated birthdays for the last thirty years.

We are not perfect, but some Western missionaries need to be rebuked. They came to the East to do the Lord’s work, yet they also damage this work. Celebrating children’s birthdays and even inviting the serving ones to join is a fleshly attitude that will harm the Lord’s work.

This may encourage those living in the workers’ house to celebrate their children’s birthdays. This is intolerable. We are letting the brothers from the West influence us instead of us influencing them. Those who labor for the Lord must be very careful.

Whenever we receive an invitation, we need to know who is involved and what the purpose of the gathering is. We preach the truth concerning not loving the world and want others not to love the world either. In the past thirty years, our coworkers have not celebrated the birthdays of their children or even of their parents.

We need to learn this lesson in order to build the church. Otherwise, our effort will be like a Chinese proverb that says "we grind soybeans but produce no tofu". Our efforts will be in vain. For this reason, we should not be overly proud or overly humbled when learning the origin of a matter.

Before inviting a certain brother from the West to speak, we considered the fact that he had publicly thanked those who sent him Christmas cards. Although I received spiritual help from that brother, in this matter he was the one who needed help. If Christmas is condemned by God, then even if people send us cards, we should not thank them. This example shows that not everything that comes from the West is correct. They need our help in many matters.

Even though they have no light concerning the ground of the church, they refuse to receive help on that subject. They even debate and argue repeatedly about the ground of the church. This reveals a sense of national superiority. In order for the churches in the East and West to be built up together, the brothers from the West need to be open concerning the matter of the ground of the church.

We have not been playing around these past thirty years. We gave our lives to follow this way. We should not consider any matter of the church lightly. Rather, we must be desperate about some matters and leave others aside. We respect the spiritual ministries in the West, but we do not agree that everything that comes from there is correct.

The churches are now before us. We accept the Western brothers who are with us and we must allow them to serve the Lord. However, we must learn to know people and discern matters. We also need to know what we can and cannot accept. We must even discern matters involving a young man or young woman. We should encourage what is appropriate and restrain what is not. Mere gospel preaching for the salvation of sinners and instruction for believers cannot build up the genuine church of the Lord. We must lead others to Christ and help them to be established and built up in the church.

Enjoy more: Hymn 222

The Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, Week 6, Chapter 8, Wednesday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER EIGHT:

THE BUILDING UP OF THE CHURCH REQUIRES

KNOWLEDGE OF DIFFERENT ISSUES

WEEK 6 - WEDNESDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Chr 29:9; Prov 3:9; Mark 12:43-44; 2 Cor 9:7

Read and pray: "Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering; from every man whose heart moves him to do so you shall receive My offering." (Exodus 25:2)

HOW TO KNOW THE ISSUES

In our contacts with people, we need to discern the issues. Although we do not interfere in matters that do not concern us, we must not neglect the matters that involve us. Therefore, we need to learn to discern the facts. However, our learning must be gradual, not rushed. When learning to understand situations, several points require our attention.

First, behind each situation there is a person. When the person is right, the situation itself is almost always right. For this reason, we must always know who is at the origin of each situation. We need to know the cause, the sponsor, of the situation. If there is a problem at the source, there will be problems even if the situation seems right. We need to get to the bottom of each issue.

Second, we need to know the motivation behind the issue. Someone may donate ten thousand dollars just to gain the approval of others. Another may make the same offering simply because others criticized him for not offering. The motivation is wrong in both situations. We must pay attention to others' motivation.

This does not mean that everything else is right when the motivation is right. We also need to know whether the nature is right. For example, a brother who desires something inappropriate may receive help from another brother. Although the brother who helps may be motivated by love, the object of his help is not appropriate.

Third, even if the nature is correct, we need to know whether the way of executing it is right. For example, a brother who wants to offer ten thousand dollars may simply bring the money to us. We should help him understand that this is not the right way to make the offering. He should place the money in the offering box. We should teach him to pray in order to know the needs of the church. Then he will see that his offering is not directed to an individual or a single purpose. We can teach him about this by sharing with him. When he puts himself before the Lord, the church will be built up. On one hand, we should not simply think that a ten-thousand-dollar offering is something wonderful; on the other hand, we should not reject it carelessly. We must learn the best way to handle this matter and be attentive to the results.

Fourth, we need to know what the result of each situation will be. The way something is done may be good, but the consequence may not. If the effect is not good, the matter should no longer be addressed. Here is a brief outline. The administration of the church, the ministry of the word, and the visiting of the saints must be carried out according to these considerations. If we practice this, it will be easy to discern the issues.

When we discern them in this way, we build up rather than damage the church. Therefore, we need to learn to know the source and the nature of the issues so that we may find the appropriate way to deal with them for the building up of the church.

If there is a problem with the one who is offering, we must help him with regard to his person. If he has the wrong motivation, we must help him. If there is a problem with the way something is carried out, with its result or effects, we must not ignore the problem or treat it lightly, because it may have an impact on the building up of the church. We must help the brother with the appropriate correction, help, and teaching. This will bring edification to the church.

If we handle the issues carelessly or negligently, we will miss the opportunity to build up the church. We need to understand every issue that comes to us and take the opportunity to instruct and teach those involved. This will also build up the church. If the saints can receive our help regarding the matter of material offerings, they will be genuinely built up. They will also be built up as part of the church.

In our work and service, we need to be aware that being proud makes no sense, and considering ourselves inferior is even worse. There is no value in thinking we are always right; nor is there value in thinking we are always wrong. Both attitudes are wrong and unworthy. Whenever we face a person or issue, we need to learn to know the person’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the source and nature of the issue. In this way, we will know how to help the person be built up in the church; we will also know how to handle the situation. This is building up.

Enjoy more: Hymn 214

The administration of the church and the ministry of the word, week 6, chapter 8, Tuesday.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH
AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD  

CHAPTER EIGHT:
THE BUILDING UP OF THE CHURCH REQUIRES
KNOWLEDGE OF DIFFERENT ISSUES  

WEEK 6 - TUESDAY
Bible Reading: Galatians 6  

Read and pray: "Owe no one anything except to love one another; for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)

RECEIVING HELP FROM GOD AND NOT FROM MAN

We should not be in debt to others. We should receive our help from God, not from man. The last one hundred years of Christian work here have not brought edification to the church; instead, they have caused harm and demolition to the church. Western missionaries need to learn the lesson of helping people before the Lord without making them their beneficiaries. People should feel that they have received help from God, not from man.  

It is not edifying for Western brothers to produce in people the feeling of being beneficiaries. By doing so, they make themselves superior to others. This will never bring edification to the church. The church has been corrupted. When we help in secret, our help truly benefits others.

NOT CONSIDERING OTHERS SUPERIOR

AND OURSELVES INFERIOR 

The Western brothers had good intentions, but they needed to consider their attitudes. They were inappropriate because they were not constructive. Many among the brothers stayed associated with them for a long time, because they considered that everything coming from the West was good and useful.  

We never thought we should have helped them in this regard, because we considered ourselves inferior. We should not have a high opinion of ourselves, nor should we consider ourselves inferior. We do need the supply from the West in many areas, but that does not mean that everything from there is right. It depends on our ability to discern things.  

We have received help from the Western brothers, but they also need to receive our help. We should be humble and accept their help, but that does not mean that everything they have is convenient for us. We criticize them because we hope that everyone will learn the lesson.  

When the elders decide to study a certain book of the Bible, they would not insist on another book if they were experienced in spiritual matters and behavior. These brothers had competence in their medical field, but in the administration of the church and in spiritual matters, they were like children learning to speak.  

Meeting the needs of the church does not depend on which book of the Bible we study. We can meet the spiritual needs of the saints through any book of the Bible. These brothers were not responsible in the church, but they gave the saints a negative impression. Before providing supply, they corrected others; before displaying their abilities, they criticized others. This indicates a lack of learning in spiritual matters and a lack of ability in dealing with others. This lack harms the building work of the church. That’s why we need to learn to know people and discern the issues before us.  

When we learn to serve the Lord, we need to be able to discern the situations. We should not think that everything that comes from the West is good. We have already invited Western brothers with great expectations, but the result of their visit left us anxious. On their side, their conduct was inappropriate; on ours, we didn’t know how to express ourselves. We’ve had many "Western meals," but the Western brothers refused to make "Chinese meals." This is pride.  

It is necessary to discern the situations to obtain the building up of the church. If we always appreciate the things of the West and show contempt for the things of the East, the church will never be edified. The Lord is not only the Lord of the Jews; He is also the Lord of the Gentiles. Likewise, the Lord is of the Westerners and also of the Chinese.  

He does not give light and understanding only to the West. For this reason, while we should not be proud, we should also not feel inferior. We should examine whether a situation is right or wrong, whether it is useful or not. We should not think that everything coming from the West is good and should therefore be accepted. Rather, we should learn to know people and discern the issues.  

As we build up the Lord’s church, we need to learn to discern the issues. We should not treat anything lightly. We need to consider and carefully evaluate the issues that involve us and the saints. We need to consider the source of each topic and its consequences before making any decisions.  

We need to learn this lesson. Every doctor must carefully consider the medication they will prescribe to a patient. We cannot be hasty and negligent or immature and imprudent; instead, we must always be careful and cautious.  

We need to spend time in the Lord’s presence to carefully consider how to deal with others. Since we are building the church, we need to learn to discern the facts. This applies to the administration of the church, the ministry of the word, and our contacts with others.

Enjoy more: Hymn 384  

https://hinario.org/detail.php?id=919

The Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word Week 6, Chapter 8, Monday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER EIGHT:

THE BUILDING UP OF THE CHURCH REQUIRES

KNOWLEDGE OF DIFFERENT MATTERS

WEEK 6 - MONDAY

Bible Reading: Matt. 6:2-4; Luke 21:3; 2 Cor. 9:7

Read and pray: “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,” (Matt. 6:3)

THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING DIFFERENT MATTERS

In this chapter we will consider the various matters we need to know. For the building up of the church, we must know both people and different matters. If we only want to be zealous persons who preach the gospel to save sinners and speak the truth to perfect the saints, there is no need to acquire knowledge concerning various matters.

However, if we want to build up the church, we need to know people and various matters. We need to know those we contact and those who desire to serve the Lord. We must know their motivations and whether their flesh has been crucified, and we must also know their spirit. Furthermore, we need to understand the nature, result, relationship, and impact of these matters.

There are many aspects of things we must know. For example, a brother who loves the Lord may say that the Lord moved him to offer twenty thousand dollars to the church. On one hand, we should thank the Lord and rejoice that this brother is willing to be used by the Lord in this way. On the other hand, we must realize that this matter is not simple.

We need to have understanding regarding the matter of offering—that is, we need to understand the motivation, nature, method, and purpose of the brother’s offering. We must also know the possible results and influence of his offering. If we simply thank the Lord and accept it, our work may not result in building up the church but in tearing it down.

We must seek to be enlightened by the Lord through prayer and consideration in order to examine the background and history of the person making the offering. We must take into account his reputation and position in society, as well as the origin of the money he offers. We must also consider his intentions before the Lord and the spirit of his offering.

When the elders receive a large amount of money as an offering for the church, they must spend time understanding how that amount was obtained. They must also seriously consider the possible effects, direct or indirect, of receiving it. In other words, the elders must have a basic knowledge concerning this specific matter.

Suppose another brother says that he wants to offer fifty thousand dollars to help the needy saints. Although this seems good, it is not that simple. We should not simply thank the Lord for this brother, thinking this is a timely offering to help the needy saints. We should not think that just by distributing fifty thousand dollars among the poor in the church the church will be built up. On the contrary, we must consider whether the offering might cause the church to collapse.

This can be compared to a surgery that causes death instead of healing or food that makes someone sick instead of nourishing them. In building up the church, we cannot be so simplistic. We must learn to have a full understanding of the situation we are facing. Only then can we determine what we should do and how to do it.

Discerning matters is related not only to the administration of the church but also to the ministry of the word. We may preach messages that discourage rather than encourage if we lack knowledge of a certain matter. Therefore, if we want to learn to build up the church, we must learn to discern situations.

We must learn to know all matters that are directly or indirectly related to the church, as long as they are matters we can investigate and contact. Our ability to administrate the church depends on our capacity to know people and matters. Our ability to preach the word and work for the Lord depends on whether or not we know people and matters.

Even our ability to visit and help others depends on such knowledge. Some responsible brothers act inappropriately in church administration because they lack knowledge concerning various matters.

Some messages may instruct the saints but result in tearing down the church rather than building it up. This results from inadequate knowledge regarding matters. A lack of knowledge can also lead us to tear down the church while thinking we are building it up.

CARING FOR NEEDY SAINTS

Two Western brothers, one of whom was a doctor, were with us for some time, but their work did not bring us much benefit. They desired to serve among the saints, but we felt they did not gain much themselves, nor did they benefit the brothers much.

The lack of fruit was not related to teaching, but to the building up of the church. Regarding the building up of the church, we felt that receiving them into the service would result in great loss. As servants of the Lord, we should not gossip or be careless in discussing this matter. The fact, however, is that contact with these two brothers gave rise to many problems instead of building up the church.

According to our discernment, problems could arise because we did not fully know what kind of people they were. We were not sure what they were capable of doing or what the result of their work would be. Those who contacted them were confused and uncertain.

They helped many saints with their medical knowledge, charged nothing, and even paid for some hospital expenses. However, all the work they did resulted in tearing down the church, not building it up.

One day, my wife and I went to visit the brother who was a doctor. On the way, we saw a sister whose child had contracted tuberculosis and had been operated on twice by him. She felt it was the mercy of God that the brother had charged her only half the fee for the first surgery and performed the second free of charge.

On one hand, he was kind and cared for the poor. On the other hand, those whom he helped were grateful to him but did not gain more of Christ. Therefore, it was not for the building up of the church. Moreover, those he helped did not feel uplifted; instead, they felt inferior to him and to the responsible brothers.

For this reason, what the brother did out of love actually brought tearing down to the church, not building up. If he had had the burden to help the saints materially, he could have accepted the medical fees and been led by the Lord to place the amount in the offering box. In this way, the brothers would have received help directly from God's hand. They would not have felt humiliated before men nor thought the help came from men or the church. They would only have felt that God had visited them. This would have built them up with a noble character.

If our help causes the brothers to feel inferior or indebted to us, we are tearing down the church instead of building it up. Our help should not cause others to feel grateful to us. In other words, they should not feel inferior to us. They should not feel like our beneficiaries.

If we cause such feelings in people, we are a charity institution, not the church. The saints should not simply feel thankful to us, the church, or the elders. We must lead them to Christ. Only such a result produces the building up of the church.

If we maintain the attitude of giving alms, showing charity, or providing assistance to needy saints, we will corrupt the Lord’s church. Although the sister whose son had tuberculosis was very grateful to the Lord and praised Him, her entire being had been corrupted. In her humiliation, she became dependent on others and even subservient to them. Those who continuously receive help from others cannot be built up in character, and the church, in turn, cannot be built up either.

In this respect, the two Western brothers truly needed our fellowship. However, we were not able to help them. This proves that we lacked discernment regarding these matters. Moreover, due to this lack, our work here could not build up the church. When we care for needy brothers, we must consider whether our care is for their building up or their tearing down. This depends on our ability to discern matters.

Enjoy more: Hymn 152

The administration of the church and the ministry of the word, week 6, chapter 7, Sunday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER SEVEN:

THE BUILDING UP OF THE CHURCH REQUIRES

TOTAL CONSECRATION

WEEK 6 - SUNDAY

Bible Reading: 1 Cor 9; Phil 4:17

Read and pray: "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe" (Prov 29:25)

THE SHAME OF SEEKING HELP

FROM OTHERS TO LESSEN

OUR SUFFERING

The way of consecration is a way of suffering, of sacrifice, in which everything that belongs to us is shipwrecked. Some consecrate themselves in order to gain the compassion of others and thus reduce their own suffering. These believers have lost their consecration. It is shameful to seek help from others in order to lessen our suffering.

Those who are truly consecrated need to learn not to seek help from others. We prefer to suffer before the Lord than to seek help from others, and we would rather go hungry for three days in a row than let others know of our need. However, this is not our current reality. Some, when suffering very little, already desire to be noticed by others and receive help from them. This indicates that their consecration is not as strong as it once was.

The first group of servants among us did not seek help from others. They even told people that they would not choose the way of receiving help from others. They had the ability to make money in the world, but for love of the Lord, they did not go to the world to obtain it. Such was the situation and character of those who served at the very beginning.

Unfortunately, some among us now fear not being able to get help. It seems that shame for us now is not receiving help. But it is a glory that others do not care for us, because we serve the Lord full-time. It is not glorious to seek help and compassion from others; on the contrary, it is shameful.

We will become deplorable parasites if we always expect help from others. As a result, some may rebuke us, claiming that we are parasites of society, since we depend on others for our sustenance. This indicates that our consecration is not firm. However, this does not mean that the saints should not love and care for the servants of the Lord.

For many years, the older co-workers upheld the principle that we do not enjoy nor feel grateful for the help we directly receive from others. We do not want to receive any contribution directly from the hands of men.

Those who feel responsible for our care should offer through the offering box. We want to receive our supply directly from the hands of God. One person once asked a brother, who served full-time, how much in offering he had received that week. This type of question is an insult to those who serve full-time. We should look straight into the eyes of the one asking and tell them that this is none of their business. Their question does not reflect love for those who serve the Lord; on the contrary, it is an offense. A person who is genuinely interested should contribute by placing the offering in the proper box without asking how much a servant of the Lord receives. These are inappropriate questions.

The wife of a brother who serves once said that her husband received only a few dollars per week. This led others to feel that they should help him find a job. This is shameful. Since this couple was willing to follow this path, they should not complain. Those who serve the Lord should not act this way. Those who choose to follow this path must know that it is a path of suffering and poverty. They should not expect to have a prosperous life. The Lord never said that those who choose this path will have food to eat and a good life. Instead, He said that we must leave everything to follow Him. We must even lose our lives. This is the way of consecration.

It is glorious when we can live by faith for an entire year without anyone showing concern for us. However, there are situations where those who serve ask for help from others. When we are in this condition, we can do the work of institutionalized Christianity, but not the work of building up the church. When we build up the church, our fame, reputation, being, and family will be shipwrecked. Our reputation, what we are, and what we have need to be buried. The apostle Paul suffered shipwreck for the Lord; and the Lord gained his everything.

The Lord Jesus can lead people to shipwreck. Many lives have already been shipwrecked because of Him. This is a matter of consecration, of paying the price; this is what it means to say: "I fill up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body, which is the church" (Col 1:24).

THE WAY OF CONSECRATION IS

CONSIDERED ABNORMAL

We need to consider the matter of consecration and the price we must pay. Those in institutionalized Christianity do not follow this way. We need to be ready to be shipwrecked for Christ. We should not evaluate things according to our natural thoughts. We should not consider our profession, marriage, family, or studies according to natural thinking.

The situation of the first apostles, of the Christians who took part in the life of the early church, and of those who have followed the Lord through the centuries certainly cannot be considered normal. We can only be considered normal if we do not consecrate ourselves and do not walk the way of consecration. All the ways of consecration are certainly abnormal.

For example, the parents of Sister Dora Yu sent her to England to study medicine. However, when the ship she was on arrived at the port of Marseille, France, she told the captain that she needed to return to China to preach the gospel. This is abnormal. We cannot walk a normal path in our human life. If we follow a normal path, we will not be able to walk the way of consecration. Let us all see that the way of serving the Lord is the way of consecration. There is nothing normal about this way; on the contrary, everything in it is abnormal.

Enjoy more: Hymn 213

The Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word, Week 5, Chapter 7, Saturday

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

CHAPTER SEVEN:

THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH

REQUIRES TOTAL CONSECRATION

WEEK 5 - SATURDAY

Bible Reading: Luke 9:57-62

Read and pray: "And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes and the birds of the heaven nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." (Matt. 8:20)

WE ARE INCAPABLE OF TAKING CARE

OF GOD’S HOUSE AND OUR OWN (2)

In these days, the enemy not only works to create division among us, but also leads many to weaken their consecration and become compromising Christians. We cannot serve the Lord and belong to the world; we will not succeed in both.

If everyone who serves took good care of their career and family, they might become more successful in both areas. This can be compared to tending a garden by weeding and watering it daily. That garden will surely be beautiful.

If a person manages a hospital and works diligently every day, that hospital will surely be successful. This is similar to the matter of consecration. If we devote ourselves to caring for our careers, studies, and family, we should not expect the church to prosper. On the contrary, the church will become desolate and neglected. If we prioritize our professional careers and our families, and place the Lord and the church second, the church will not grow.

Meeting every day may cause us to suffer personal losses. However, we must ask ourselves the purpose of our existence: Are we here for our house or for God’s house?

A Western missionary in Manila testified that his eldest daughter and second son wanted to be preachers. He rejoiced because many of his children were preachers and because his family was made up of missionaries. If we live a comfortable and easy life and do not pay the price to follow the Lord, our children will want to follow us.

Preachers like this may travel around the world, may have servants, and do not suffer hardship. They may even be highly regarded by others. How many people can afford to live this kind of life? If they chose the path of a Nazirite, it would be very unlikely that their children would still want to be preachers.

Because those who work in China have chosen the path of consecration, none of their children have the desire to serve. If we want to do a work of consecration and take the narrow way in the Lord’s recovery, we should not expect a comfortable life ahead.

We cannot rely on the path taken by Western missionaries. If we do, we will carry out the work of institutional Christianity, not the work of building up the church. When we do the work of building up the church, our fame, reputation, family, energy, and natural man will suffer shipwreck. Our reputation and what we truly are will be shipwrecked.

Anyone who desires to serve the Lord while maintaining respectability in family, career, and studies has taken the wrong path. For us, there is no way to succeed in both. If we want the Lord to build and gain something, our consecration must be total. This is not just a matter of following our parents or husband because we feel the desire to preach. It is a matter of suffering shipwreck because of Jesus. He will cause all that is ours to be wrecked. This is real consecration.

However, this does not mean that we should not study, have a profession, or care for our family. We should not give everything up. We must do our best in our studies, in caring for our family, and in our work. Yet when there is a conflict between the two, we must ask ourselves which side should win. Should the Lord Jesus gain the victory, or should our own benefit?

We must also ask ourselves which side has the priority in our hearts. What is our main occupation? We must each give a definite answer before the Lord. Do we consider the Lord Jesus and His work first or second? If we want to do a work of institutional Christianity, we can put what is ours first, and what belongs to the Lord second. But if we want to build the church, we must give priority to the Lord.

Enjoy more: Hymn 219