Overview
The work of the ministry and the household—or family—faith are distinct, yet both are needed to move God’s Word with the right heart. Beginning with Mary and Martha, Rev. Rico Magnelli shows that service without the Word can become anxious, accusatory, and works-driven. Acts presents ministry as a spiritual portion of service and the household faith as the shared standing believers have through Christ. Mutual respect allows each member’s strengths to flourish, while respect of persons, fear, and control undermine the family of God.
Transcript
The Ministry and the Household Faith
God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ, and welcome to this special leadership conference call. My name is Rico Magnelli, and please turn in your Bibles to Luke chapter 10. Luke chapter 10.
This is a follow-up to Apologiahs 1 through 3. This is Apologiah 4. As you recall, Apologiah is a Greek word which can mean an answer of truth in the face of accusation. And in this presentation, we will look at the idea of the ministry from God’s word and how it relates to the family faith, sometimes referred to as the household of faith, or just the household. To keep the word first in the work of the ministry involves a knowledge and application of the family faith.
We will see that the ministry and the family faith are not one and the same, but clearly separate and distinct, yet both are needed to move God’s word with the right heart. When the word is first in the work of the ministry, it is pleasing to God and keeps those serving blessed and sound in their thinking. Service is not about how much we do, but how much we love and stay in fellowship with God.
Mary and Martha: The Word Before the Work
The work of the ministry without the word becomes works and produces bad fruit. Let’s see an example of this in Luke chapter 10. A familiar record regarding Mary and Martha.
Luke chapter 10, verse 38. Now it came to pass as they went that he, Jesus Christ, entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
And Martha was covered about much serving, and came to him and said, Lord, doth thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Tremendous learning here regarding service.
The word serving here in verse 40 is the Greek word diakonia, transliterated D-I-A-K-O-N-I-A, diakonia. And it just means service in its very simple understanding. Just means service.
This record is very interesting because it’s the only gospel that records this incident. So it’s singularly significant. What we see here is that Martha was covered about much serving.
The word covered about means distracted. And as being distracted in her service, what she does is she accuses Jesus. She says, Lord, dost thou not care? Of course he cared.
Jesus Christ always loved. He always did the word. Not only that, she accuses Mary.
She goes on to say that my sister hath left me to serve alone. So she’s accusing Jesus Christ of not caring, accusing Mary of leaving her alone to serve. What’s so interesting is when people serve without the word, it produces bad fruit.
Like here, accusations against others. Religion pushes the work but loses the heart. And there is a heart to service that only the word living in someone’s heart manifested in love can add.
The word must be first, not the work. Martha has forgotten the word here in this record. Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, hey, thou art careful and troubled about many things.
Careful and troubled, careful means anxious. Troubled is a disorder of the mind about many things. Martha did not keep her service on the word.
Jesus Christ said one thing is meaningful and Mary hath chosen that good part. You know, service is a very, very important part of our lives. And the greatest example we have of service is Jesus Christ.
And he points this out regarding service to Martha. And he says one thing is meaningful and Mary hath chosen that good part. She made a choice, Mary.
See, we’re not victims. We choose. We choose.
Romans 8 tells us that we are not sheep led to the slaughter, but we’re more than conquerors through him that loved us. More than a conqueror is a response to his love. Victimization is a reaction to the world and to fear.
But Mary in this record chose the good part. What did she choose? Verse 39. She sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
Keeping the word in our service is so important. There’s everything right with service, but what can one honestly handle and keep the word first and things right with God is the question. We would call it staying in fellowship with God.
That’s why in service the word must be first and central, because the word believed produces the right fruit, not this bad fruit of anxiety, being disorderly in one’s mind, accusing people. This lesson applies to the individual and also applies in a broader sense to any activity or work of the ministry. Let’s see this further, Acts chapter 1. Acts chapter 1, please.
Diakonia in Acts: A Portion of Service
Acts chapter 1. We’ll look at the first occurrences of the word diakonia in the book of Acts. Acts chapter 1, verse 14. These all continued with one accord, homophumidon, in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples and said, the number of names together were about 120. Men and brethren, this scripture must need have been fulfilled which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was God to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us and had obtained part of this ministry.
So here Peter is speaking. He spoke of about replacing Judas. Judas had died.
He had went and hanged himself. And he’s speaking about his portion. The word part is the word portion of this ministry.
What is this ministry? Well, clearly in the context is carrying on the work of Christ, what he commissioned them to do. Everything that they’ve been taught and instructed in and what he commissioned them to do. That’s the ministry.
Let’s go on further. Look at verse 20. For it is written in the book of Psalms, let his habitation be desolate and let no man dwell therein.
And his bishopric let another take. Wherefore these men which have accompanied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. So what we see here in the context of the ministry, we see word-based decisions are part of the ministry.
They went right to the word. Here they went to the book of Psalms. And they actually went to two separate Psalms to get this understanding.
It’s interesting how they put this together. Somebody must have worked the word and understood this. It says, for it is written in verse 20.
It is written is the standard upon which we function in the ministry. It is written. And look at the criteria that they used to replace Judas.
It was exposure to Jesus Christ as he went in and out among us. And that’s a Hebrew idiom expressing the idea of exercising leadership. And it was from John’s baptism all the way through the ascension, meaning the whole time he was available.
That was important to them. And that’s interesting as well, because they had Jesus Christ in person as an example. He was the word.
He was the word made flesh. Everything that he did was the word. Because we don’t have Jesus Christ in person to help us.
But we have the word, and we have the examples of more seasoned believers and ministers to help us learn how to carry out the work of the ministry. Look at verse 24. And they prayed and said, Thou, Lord, which knoweth the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen.
So it’s up to God. That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. Again, it says take part.
The word part is portion. We are each to take our part, our portion of this ministry. There’s three characteristics here in Acts chapter 1 that I’d like to point out regarding the ministry that helps us understand it better.
Number one, Jesus Christ is central to the ministry or service, if you will. He was the word made flesh. His example and his teaching was what the disciples utilized to launch into the ministry after they had received the gift of Holy Spirit.
Number two, word-based decisions. The word is at the basis of every activity, every program, every service that’s performed in the ministry. It’s supposed to be at the word.
The word is supposed to be there in each decision. Number three, the ministry is portioned out. No one does everything.
It’d be impossible. The ministry is portioned out, and we can see these three things here in this record. Let’s pick up some more.
Acts 6: Serving the Word and Meeting Physical Needs
Let’s look at Acts chapter 6, the next occurrences of the word diakonia in Acts chapter 6. Again, another familiar record to us. Acts chapter 6, verse 1. And in those days when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there was a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their wills were neglected in the daily ministration. The word ministration is the word diakonia.
The ministry or service structure at that time was not adequate to meet the rising needs because so many of those that had come from around the world to attend the feast of Pentecost, they just stayed. They stayed. And this required adding more leaders to serve.
Verse 2. Then the twelve, that’s the twelve apostles, called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said, it is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. It’s not reason. So they’re making a clear distinction here.
And the word reason is very key. Because the word reason actually means pleasing to God. Pleasing to God.
And therefore proper, fitting in his sight. God says, I like that. That’s what God wants.
The apostles were willing to perform those tasks, like serving tables, but it wasn’t pleasing to God to leave the word. The word needed to be maintained. The word needed to lead the way, if you will.
Perfecting the Saints for the Work of the Ministry
And that’s exactly what we see later on as recorded in the book of Ephesians. Ephesians chapter 4, verse 12, says of the gift ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, the purpose for them is number one, for the perfecting of the saints. And that’s the mending in their renewed mind walks.
And that’s done by the word. That’s done by the word. Then, it says in Ephesians 4.12, for the work of the ministry.
That’s what builds to the work of the ministry. Because when people have their need met with the word, the next thing they want to know is, what can I do? What can I contribute? Absolutely. And as the work of the ministry develops, long suits rise up within the body of believers.
Which produces the third part in Ephesians 4.12, for the edifying of the body of Christ. And long suits are functioning and edification in love of the body of Christ occurs. Verse 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
The word business, as defined by Thayer’s here, is duty or business. And clearly, in the context, it’s referring to the practical side of taking care of people’s needs. Like physical needs.
And certainly, that’s part of the ministry. Verse 4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry. Diakonia of the word.
So there’s two clear distinctions of the ministry or the service that we perform on behalf of Christ. It’s prayer and the ministry of the word, and this business. That’s the practical side of taking care of people and the physical needs.
Verse 5. And the saying pleased the whole multitude. So the saying pleased everybody. This is interesting as well.
Because when something pleases God, like we saw in verse 2, it will fit for those who believe God. Not just believe in God. See, there’s many people that believe in God.
But those who believe God take Him at His word. So word first in the work of the ministry produces that environment for long suits of service to emerge. And that’s exactly what happens here in verse 5. And the saying pleased the whole multitude.
And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith or believing, and of the Holy Spirit. And Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas, a proselyte of Antioch. The long suits that these individuals had in believing and in wisdom certainly rose up to emerge as the work of the ministry was developing.
But God wanted the word to lead the way in the ministry, in the service. And the apostles made that known. This pleased everyone.
It made perfect sense. It was a great fit. Now today, for instance, the work of the ministry may be a lot more involved than what we see here, simply.
But this is a clear distinction. Serving the bread of life first, if you will, that’s the priority. Then comes serving bread or meeting physical needs, perhaps.
Which in our day would include many, many categories of service. Anyone that has been part of a ministry understands that needs come up to care for people. So they’re cared for, blessed, and can receive the word.
The Word Must Remain First
But the word has to be first in the ministry, in our service. And there’s a clear distinction between the two here in Acts chapter 6, verse 6. Whom they sent before the apostles, and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. So they commissioned them to this service.
And ordained them to these responsibilities and into their spiritual functioning. So what can we do to help the word be first in the ministry? The key is in the next verse, verse 7. The word of God increased. And the word of God increased.
And the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly. And a great company of the priests. Now the Aramaic, we know, actually is Judeans.
And a great company of the Judeans were obedient to the faith. That’s the family faith. What we can do to keep the word in our service and in the ministry is right here in verse 7. The key is obedience to the family faith.
Right in the context, God has put that safeguard. So the ministry and the service of the ministry stays within the bounds of the word. Individually and collectively.
Notice that verse 7 does not say obedient to the ministry. If God wanted to say that, he would have said that. But that’s not what he meant.
He said obedient to the family faith. Obedient to the family faith. And biblically, a Christian ministry and a household of faith are not one and the same.
Obedience to the Family Faith
And there’s a responsibility, if you will, to the household. In the foundational treatise in the grace administration that sets so much understanding, the book of Romans, in Romans chapter 1 and in Romans chapter 16, it mentions both times, like a bookend to that great revelation, that obedience to the faith is what is to be promoted. Is what’s to be taught to all nations.
God wants the whole world to know. Romans 1 and 5 says, By whom we have received grace and apostleship for the obedience to the faith, the family faith among all nations for his name. Romans 16, 26.
But now is made manifest. It’s talking about the mystery which was kept secret since the world began. And by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith, the family faith.
Acts 2: A Practical Beginning for the Household
Bookended right there in the book of Romans. Wow. Please turn to Acts chapter 2. Let’s learn a little bit more about this.
Obedience to the family faith is how one begins to practically live the mystery. And what keeps the word in our service and the work of the ministry. Obedience to the family faith.
And the first step to being obedient to the family faith is respect. Respect came upon every soul. It’s mutual.
And that absolutely includes ourselves, by the way. We have respect for ourselves based on our identity in Christ Jesus. As you recall, the household or the family faith who share the same faith of Jesus Christ.
This same faith, God, by grace, applied to every believer to justify and give them salvation. Because the faith of Christ is what bridges the chasm between unsaved man and God. In other words, it was the faith of Jesus Christ that brought me salvation.
It’s the faith of Jesus Christ that God applied to give you salvation. Each of us have that same faith. Titus 1-4 calls it, quote, the common faith, end quote.
Common because it’s the faith we all share. We each have the faith of Christ. This is the basis for mutual respect.
It’s the cornerstone in our relationships one with another. And the household is built upon valuing, valuing the treasure in earthen vessels that each of us has. It’s Christ in you.
It’s Christ in me. It doesn’t get any bigger than that. Well, let’s see it here in Acts chapter 2. Remember, at this point in Acts chapter 2, they didn’t understand the fullness of the mystery of the one body of Christ.
But they practically began to carry out the word in being obedient to the family faith. Acts chapter 2, verse 42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers.
And the first thing we see in verse 43, and respect, fear is respect, came upon every soul. And many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Boy, I’m sure that really rose the temperature of believing.
Because the respect that they had one for another based on what they had received. The respect came upon. It means it began to be.
It came into existence. I’m sure there was respect for each other before. But this newfound respect for each other runs a lot deeper.
And it’s based on what they had learned about Jesus Christ. Acts chapter 2, verse 5 says that they were men from every nation under heaven. They were devout men from every nation.
They were already reverencing God. They were there because they wanted to be. But this respect runs a lot deeper.
Because they learned about what Jesus Christ is, what they had received. It’s the faith of Jesus Christ that bridges the gap between death and life for each believer. By grace, salvation became available.
And this truth built mutual respect and inspired sharing together to meet needs. Keep reading. And all that believed were together and had all things common.
Sure. They shared of their abundance because of the mutual respect of the truth regarding Jesus Christ they had received. And sold their possessions and goods and part of them to all men as every man had need.
And they continued daily with one accord. One passion in the temple and breaking bread from house to house to eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Wow.
Mutual Respect Begins With Christ in Each Believer
This was the foundation that was embraced in one accord. And at the very first step, if you will, of obedience to the family faith was having respect one for another. Look at Galatians chapter 2. Galatians chapter 2, please.
This is very important when it comes to keeping an equilibrium and a balance in the ministry. That’s why God has it there in Acts chapter 6 verse 7. Because we want to be obedient to the family faith. Galatians chapter 2 in verse 20.
I want you to pay close attention to look at the personal pronouns here in verse 20. And the individual references that Paul mentions. Because obedience to the family faith begins with each of us individually making a decision.
Verse 20. I am crucified. Or the text is I have been crucified.
With Christ. Nevertheless, I live. Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.
And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God. Who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God.
Wow. I have been crucified. I live.
Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God. Who loved me and gave himself for me.
I do not frustrate the grace of God. Wow. The household, the family faith is built on mutual respect in Christ.
And it begins with you personally, with me personally. We take that on and embrace it with belief and enthusiasm and commitment. To believe otherwise is to frustrate the grace of God.
Romans 12: Members One of Another
Look at Romans chapter 12. Romans chapter 12. We’ll see how this is so important and key to the ministry.
The relationship between the ministry and the family faith. Romans chapter 12. Verse 3. For I say through the grace given unto me to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.
But to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man, the measure of faith. There it is. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office or function, so we being many are one body in Christ.
And everyone members one of another. This is tremendous. The practical foundation for the household, the family faith, was first laid in the book of Acts.
But the knowledge of the ministry, Christ in you and Judea and Gentile being fellow heirs and of the same body, that came later. That came later, revealed by God to the apostle Paul. But God had to get them off on the right foot.
God had to get them started before he revealed that revelation. It’s apparently how he set it up. And the first step in being obedient to the family faith or household is mutual respect.
Because God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. That levels the playing field, doesn’t it? Mutual respect in Christ recognizes and values each other’s long suits and potential spiritual functioning. That’s why it leads right into living the ministry.
It’s just brilliant the way God set this up. Remember in the context of the ministry functioning in 1 Corinthians 12, 21, it states, And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee. Nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Sure, when there’s mutual respect based on we each have the faith of Christ, we can respect and inspire each other’s long suits to rise up. Because mutual respect in Christ encourages an environment where we lovingly submit to each other. Isn’t that what Ephesians 5.21 says? Sure.
Ephesians 5.21 says, Submitting yourselves one to another, that’s mutually, in the fear or the respect of God. Respect only to the measure of faith God has given to every man. Wow.
Respect of Persons Is the Opposite of Mutual Respect
Look at Deuteronomy chapter 1. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy chapter 1. See, when we have respect one for another in Christ Jesus, that sets the foundation. It all starts out on the even playing field. We each have the faith of Christ.
And then as we fellowship together around the truth and the word that builds that understanding, long suits begin to emerge, and then we move right into living the mystery. Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy chapter 1. We’re seeing the relationship between the ministry of service and the family faith. Now, we learned in Apollos 1 through 3 about lording over God’s people.
Lording over God’s people, how that’s not God’s will. Jesus Christ, the Apostle Peter, the Apostle Paul, they all said the same thing, don’t do that. Well, lording over God’s people, this approach, if continued unchallenged, breeds and institutionalizes a respect of persons among believers.
That’s right. A respect of persons is when people judge by the five senses, the value of others. Respect of persons allows for, though people may not say it, but it allows for fear, favoritism, and it engenders a spiritual blindness.
Respect of persons breeds an environment of seeking to gain the favor of others. It isolates and controls through fear, and it breaks unity. And respect of persons is the opposite of mutual respect in Christ.
Let’s read a little bit here about respect of persons. Deuteronomy chapter 1, verse 17. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment, but ye shall hear the small as well as the great.
Ye shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God’s. And the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. Respect of persons is that partiality, to be partial one over another.
And that includes ourselves, too. When we are partial above people or we are partial below, we allow ourselves to be underneath people. It says, hear the small as well as the great.
Look at the scale value. It runs the entire spectrum, small to great. It doesn’t matter, because those are judgments, five senses judgments.
And we don’t judge according to the flesh. But look at one of the results here. Fear.
Do not be afraid of the face of man. That is what respect of persons can engender, is fear. Look at Deuteronomy 16.
We are looking at respect of persons as the opposite of mutual respect in Christ. Deuteronomy chapter 16, verse 19. Thou shalt not rest judgment.
Thou shalt not respect persons. Neither take a bribe. For a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise and pervert the words of the righteous.
A gift here is a bribe. Bribes can come in different forms, financial or even moral bribes. But what happens is it becomes an obligation, like you owe that person something.
You keep going back and forth. The cycle continues back and forth to please men and not God. And how can they get away with this type of thing? I’ll tell you in the verse.
It says, for the gift of blinding eyes. It blinds the eyes of the wise. That means people who know the right application of the word.
Because wisdom is the right application of the word. They know the right application of the word, but they get tricked. Because they take a bribe.
That’s part of the fruit of being respecter of persons. It doesn’t stop there, though. It also says, pervert the words of the righteous.
And to pervert means to twist or overturn or subvert the words of the righteous. So the word starts to get twisted. It’s overturned.
It even contradicts, their actions even contradict what the word says. It subverts the words of the righteous. This is not what we want in the work of the ministry.
Departing From the Family Faith
1 Timothy chapter 4, please. 1 Timothy chapter 4. You know, when Peter brought the word to the Gentiles, God showed him a very clear revelation, how he was not to call anything common or unclean that God had cleansed. And when he went to Cornelius’ house, he made a great statement in Acts 1034.
He said that Peter opened his mouth and said, of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. God is no respecter of persons. That means he doesn’t judge by the five senses.
When we each have Christ within us, we are all and all have a treasure in earth and vessels. God got the believers practically started in the right foot in the book of Acts. By obedience to the family faith, starting with mutual respect.
And many other things built from there, but certainly the mutual respect. Obedience to the family faith is the practical, practical foundation for living the mystery of the body of Christ. It’s also what helps keep the word, the word first in the work of the ministry.
1 Timothy chapter 4, verse 1. Now the spirit, that’s God, speaks expressly that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, that’s the family faith. Giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies and hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron.
Wow. So some shall depart from the family faith. The family faith or household has no location or organizational affiliation.
Simply, it’s the common faith. Therefore, once someone is taught what the family faith or the household truly is, they choose to depart from it regardless, if they choose to depart from it, it’s regardless of their location on the map or any affiliation with any organization. Remember Acts 2.43? It points out the first step to being obedient to the family faith.
Faith is that genuine respect for each other based on what they had received. They had all received the gift of Holy Spirit. And each day, the word would have been unfolding as they understood more and more.
And finally, with Paul’s revelation, the knowledge of the mystery of the body of Christ. See, we do not judge by our five senses, but value each other in Christ. We don’t ignore or slight or love less each other.
We have the same care one for another, like it says in Corinthians. Therefore, logically, one of the first steps in a practical manner to depart from the family faith is to become a respecter of persons and judge the value of others by the five senses and not according to Christ in them, that treasure in earthen vessels. If we have been given to being a respecter of persons, each of us, especially as leaders, then we must be honest before God and correct that thinking.
Absolutely. Because all it does is produce fear. All it does is make susceptible bribes and blinding the eyes and perverting the words of the righteous.
Turning From Truth to Fables
This is not what we want. Please turn to 2 Timothy chapter 4, verse 1. I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Preach the word.
Preach the word. Be instant in season and out of season. That means when it’s convenient, when it’s not convenient.
Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering, that’s patience, and doctrine. It takes a lot of patience bringing people back to the standard of the word, which is the doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears.
Here it is, verse 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables. They shall turn their ears away, meaning that they can’t even hear the truth anymore. And the word from is very interesting.
Because the word from is a preposition. That means from the surface of something. Not it actually penetrates.
So the truth doesn’t actually penetrate into the individual anymore. It’s like they can’t even hear it. It reaches the surface and it just goes the other way.
And what they do is they turn, shall be turned unto fables. And the word fables is the Greek word mufas. M-U, transliterated M-U-T-H-O-S.
And it means anything delivered by word of mouth. Anything delivered by word of mouth. It’s not referring to it as written.
It’s not referring to it as written. It’s referring to anything delivered by word of mouth. Remember Acts 21, 23? When they had rejected what Paul had to say about the wonderful things that God was doing, they said to him in verse 23, Do therefore this what we say to thee.
What’s delivered by word of mouth. And it’s interesting, the word fables is in the plural. So it’s myths.
Where there is one, there will be more. Once you’ve got one, there’s going to be more that follow, that build from there. It is a myth to believe that the ministry is the same as the family faith.
It’s a myth. It’s not a biblically sound doctrine. To believe they are the same is error and not truth.
Myths are passed on by word of mouth and become mental prisons if people allow. And each myth requires the truth believed to make one free. When it’s not the word, it becomes doctrines of men.
Matthew 15, 12-14 says it this way. Then came his disciples and said unto him, Jesus, Notice now that the Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying. But he, Jesus, answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up.
Let them alone. They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
That’s the result of lording over God’s people and encouraging a respect of persons. When you have one myth, more myths will follow. That’s why it’s plural.
And with each myth comes more erosion of truth. So many have learned about the family faith or the household. And so much more truth that we’ve learned that has made us free.
That’s why so many are so grateful, including myself. We’re so grateful, my wife and I. Also, that is why so many are fighting for the word. To be the first.
Be Still, Reject Bitterness, and Recognize the Spiritual Conflict
Please turn to Luke, chapter 22. Luke, chapter 22. So what now? Well, Psalm 4610 says, Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God. The first thing is to ensure we personally are understanding the word. And then getting with God and be still with Him.
Be still with Him. God is a God of mercy. Which each and every one of us that breathes needs.
Nobody can escape that. We all need His mercy. There’s a lot of good work ahead of us that must be done in love.
And not out of anger or bitterness or ill will toward anyone. Ephesians 4 says it this way. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice.
Malice is ill will towards others. And be ye kind one to another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another.
Even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. Forgiveness is not a compromise of the word. It is the word.
Remember, Ephesians 6 says we wrestle not against flesh and blood. And Jesus Christ brings up the spiritual competition here. On the night that he was portrayed.
As he works with Peter on an individual basis. And he says to him in verse 31 of Luke 22. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you.
Or demanded to have you. That he may sift you as wheat. That’s what the adversary wants.
He’s the real enemy. And he wants to sift us as wheat. He wants our talents, our skills.
He wants our loyalty, our heart. He wants our long suits and abilities. But we cannot let him have them.
They belong to God and God’s people. But I have prayed for thee. That thy faith of believing fail not.
And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. When he was making that change. The next thing he was to do was to strengthen the brethren.
And that’s exactly what we need to do. As believers and leaders in the church. We should not allow ourselves to surrender our integrity on the word.
And become respecters of persons. And the fear, the bribery, and the blindness that follows. Fear and intimidation are not good counselors.
You’ll never get what to do next out of fear or intimidation. Proverbs 19.21 says, there are many devices in a man’s heart. Nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
Let God be our counselor. What does he want? And we can read his word. And understand what he wants.
Service and the work of the ministry. Whether individually or shared. Should be word centered only.
This will produce the good works in love. That spring forth from the word living in our souls. How do we keep the word first in our service? Is by being obedient to the family faith.
Maintaining that genuine respect in Christ one for another. And this includes respect for ourselves. Our identity in Christ cannot be just given away.
This is the check and balance on service and the work of the ministry. As we each individually recognize these truths. Believe and embrace that as God’s word.
We then can help others to hear them too. We tenderly and lovingly reach out to our brothers and sisters. And strengthen them.
Keep the Faith and Teach These Truths in Love
Share and teach them these truths in love. At the end of Paul’s life in verse 7. Of second Timothy. He said, I have fought the good fight.
I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. He didn’t say he kept the ministry.
He said, I have kept the faith. That’s the family faith. Because he understood that that was the practical foundation.
On which the mystery has lived. And it preserves the integrity of our service. This is part of the one accord.
Response. We need to understand these truths. We need in our day and time to resolve conflict from within.
It’s time to act. And reach out and preach this word. These truths that will make people free.
We certainly love you. And pray for you abundantly. And look for more vision-building teachings coming soon.
God bless you.
Key Takeaways
- The ministry and the household faith are separate concepts that must work together under God’s Word.
- Service without the Word can become anxious, controlling, accusatory, and works-centered.
- The Word is served first, while physical needs are also met through organized ministries of service.
- The household faith begins with the common standing believers share through the faith of Jesus Christ.
- Mutual respect encourages each member’s spiritual strengths, while respect of persons produces fear, blindness, and control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the ministry and the household faith the same thing?
No. The ministry concerns service and spiritual function, while the household faith concerns the common standing believers share through Christ; both are needed.
Why must the Word come before the work of the ministry?
When service is separated from the Word, it can become anxious, works-driven, accusatory, and harmful rather than spiritually fruitful.
What helps the household faith function properly?
Mutual respect in Christ, sound doctrine, fellowship, prayer, and recognizing the spiritual value and contribution of every believer help the household function.
Scripture References
- Luke 10:38–42
- Acts 1:14–26
- Acts 6:1–7
- Ephesians 4:11–16
- Romans 1:5
- Romans 16:25–26
- Acts 2:42–47
- Galatians 2:16–21
- Romans 12:3–8
- 1 Corinthians 12:12–27
- Ephesians 5:21
- Deuteronomy 1:17
- Deuteronomy 16:19
- 1 Timothy 4:1–16
- 2 Timothy 4:1–7
- Matthew 15:12–14
- Luke 22:31–32
- Ephesians 4:31–32
Verification note: This page was prepared from a machine-generated transcript. Please check names, Greek terms, Scripture wording, verse references, and the intended Bible translation against the original audio before publication.
