THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH
AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
CHAPTER THREE – NOT CARRYING OUT A WORK OF
DEMOLITION IN THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH
WEEK 3 – TUESDAY
Bible Reading: Eph. 4:28-29; 2 Tim. 4:10; James 1:26
Read and pray: "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a gossip." (Prov. 20:19)
BEING CAUTIOUS WITH WORDS TO AVOID
DISSENSION AND DEMOLITION
Some are not cautious with their words and unconsciously bring dissension and demolition, even though they have no bad intentions. For example, a matter shared in the elders' meeting in the afternoon may spread throughout the church by the evening, mixing rumors with facts. This shows that some talk too much and have not learned the lesson in church service. We have no secrets, yet those who have been transformed do not speak frivolously or carelessly.
For instance, I recently sent letters inviting some brothers to a meeting, but I did not tell my wife. In the end, she heard the news from another sister. If a brother receives a letter, he should simply come on the appointed day. There is no need to tell others about it. This kind of casual talking is meaningless and gives room for Satan.
There is nothing confidential about sending letters concerning a meeting. Not spreading the news that you were invited to a meeting is rejecting the flesh. I had a serious burden to call a meeting, but I did not tell my wife. If I could not even speak to my wife about my burden, why would the brothers need to ask her about it? Something as small as this can bring dissension and demolition.
Those who have learned the lesson will not speak carelessly in their service and coordination. Although we talk about various matters with people, we must know our place when speaking about service-related issues.
To be more hospitable to Brother T. Austin-Sparks, I sought someone who could prepare Western food. We found a cook and paid him, but he ran away with the money. The next day, a brother wrote a letter offering to lend his cook. I was surprised at how quickly the news spread.
Those who have learned the lesson of service would never talk about such a matter. Even if a thousand cooks ran away, why talk about it when the matter has nothing to do with us? This does not mean keeping the cook’s behavior secret out of fear of what others may think. The Bible records that one of Paul's coworkers, Demas, loved the present age (2 Tim. 4:10), and Paul exhorted the brothers in Ephesus that those who steal should steal no longer (Eph. 4:28).
For this reason, a cook running away with money is not strange. But why should news like this spread in less than two days? This indicates that we need to learn the lesson of not spreading information. Spreading information dismantles.
A brother once mentioned that others asked him if he would serve in Taichung, even though he himself was unaware of this information. This dissemination of information occurred among those who serve. Regardless of whether this brother would serve in Taichung or not, it was unnecessary to spread the information. If this brother needs to have fellowship regarding his service in Taichung, he will come for fellowship. We do not need to ask so many questions.
If we want to build the church, we must allow the Lord to deal with us concerning these matters. Otherwise, the more we work, the more we will demolish, and the more dissension will be produced. Many unnecessary words can be spread by those who serve. We must ask the Lord for His mercy. Those who serve should not speak carelessly. We need to learn this lesson.
We can talk to the brothers about many things, but in the service we render, we must not be careless in speaking what the Lord has not commissioned us to say. Regarding matters related to our service, we should not speak so trivially. Some among those who serve once spread the following information: "The elders cannot make any decisions about anything. They change their minds all the time and do not inform us of these changes." This shows that they have not yet learned to restrain themselves or to be led by the Lord.
Although they are consecrated to the Lord in their service, a few careless words can demolish a year’s worth of work. They work with one hand and demolish with the other. This is not building. We must be alert to recognize that the work in Taipei is currently caught in discord and has fallen into Satan’s scheme. Satan spreads dissension through our service.
If we do not resolve these problems, we will have no building. The problems in the administration of the church and the ministry of the word stem from the problems within our being. Please allow me to say a strong word: the spirit of insubordination is operating among us. Insubordination means demolition, not building. To be insubordinate is to neither build nor be built but to demolish.
CONCLUSION
For our work to build, many negative factors within us must be eliminated. There are certain things we should not say, certain attitudes we should not express, and certain actions we should not take. In order to be submissive, we must restrain ourselves in these aspects.
Since those who do not restrain themselves are unaware of the many factors of dissension operating within them, an element of dissension exists in their words. We must not expose the Lord to shame or fail in our consecration. Our work must build, not demolish; it must be done in oneness, not in discord.
It is difficult to estimate how much breaking and restriction we need in order for our work to be in oneness and to build others up. Although this is a strong word, please receive it with a humble heart and meekness. We bear great responsibility before the Lord. Each of us will give an account to Him before His judgment seat. If our work collapses, it will hinder many from receiving grace and instruction. This is a very serious matter.
We must learn not only to work but also to carry out a work that builds. We must never allow our words, attitudes, actions, or ways of expressing ourselves to produce any dissension or result in demolition in the church.
We are not here to build human authority; rather, we are here to build the church of God so that His authority may be manifested in it. Therefore, there are things we must not say, actions we must not take, and attitudes we must not express. This requires us to learn in the presence of the Lord.
Enjoy More: Hymn S-96
No comments:
Post a Comment