By James Baker
There has been and probably still are, small churches consisting of women and only one man. In some cases it is unknown how the church became that way and in others it is known; however that is beside the point. What we have are people worshipping God short-handed of man-power. The lack of men doesn’t disqualify the gathering as a church because Jesus said where two or three meet, He is in the midst; Matt 18.20. But it does make that church incomplete. Tit 1.5. Someone might say, how about the women taking a lead? That would be wrong, because it would place the man in subjection to women and the scriptures teaches that women cannot exercise authority over the man when it involves the work of God. So the man must perform all the duties. 1 Tim 2.11-12. 1 Cor 14.34-35 The church wants to keep going and the man doesn’t complain, he just keeps on doing the work. He arrives at the church on Sunday morning and doesn’t sit down until all the service is complete. He does the prayers, communion, singing, collection and the teaching. No easy task and surely challenging should he take ill. Just like Moses father in law didn’t think it was a good idea for Moses to deal with all the problems of the nation by himself, neither do we wish such labor upon a brother. EX 18.13-27. But thanks to God the sisters support him and God upholds him so the work goes on. If there ever was a Macedonia call; cases as these are such. Acts 16.9-10. I write this article because I have known of such churches and I had to do the same at times in my past. The job of a one show isn’t easy, but it can be done by a determined man. I have nothing but the highest respect for men who are in such situations. And if I go on vacation in a region where a brother is in such a position, I will be worshipping with that group so I can encourage those saints. To all the Christians sitting in huge churches and I do mean sitting. For example, a brother has to take a number and wait in line like the deli at Safeway, just to pass the collection tray. That is when you know, you have too many men. Judges 7.4. Some churches have so many men that it takes weeks to put them into use, so for most of the time they just end up sitting on the bench. I’m asking brethren, not to be content just sitting on the bench. You have talent. Put it to work by helping a church who is staying afloat because of a one man show. Place membership at a church where you can work doing something every time the doors are open. God will bless and smile upon you, because you want to work and not sit in a pew feeling comfort and protection. Get up and get out and put your talents to work. Encourage the needy church with your presence. Heb 10.24-25.
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By Frank Himmel
Superstition and mystery surround the subject of demons. The Bible contains no discourses about them. All we can know must be discerned from the handful of incidents in which they were involved. The New Testament word rendered demon was used by Greeks to denote an inferior deity. The Bible depicts them as members of the spirit world who are evil, operating in conjunction with Satan. Jesus cast out demons on numerous occasions. Notice a few cases from Mark’s gospel. Early during His ministry, a man with an “unclean spirit” came to the synagogue at Nazareth where the Lord was teaching. He cried out, “What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus cast out the spirit to the amazement of the crowd (Mark 1:21-18). Later in the same chapter, Mark records that Jesus cast out demons, not permitting them to speak, “because they knew who He was” (v. 34). Their knowledge was correct (see James 2:19), but theirs was an endorsement He could certainly do without! Mark 5 records the case of Legion. This man was possessed by many spirits, hence his name. They made him unusually strong and given to self-abuse, out of his right mind. These, too, confessed Jesus. This case illustrates demons having emotions, desires, and reasoning power. They asked and received permission to leave the man and enter a herd of swine, resulting in the death of the herd. Mark 9 records the case of a possessed boy. The spirit that tormented him made him mute. It threw him into convulsions and often threw him into fire or water to destroy him. The boy’s father brought him to Jesus’ disciples. The Lord had given them power over unclean spirits (6:7), but they were unable to cast this one out. Evidently, it was particularly strong or strong-willed. Jesus said the problem was the apostles’ lack of faith (Matthew 17:20). Despite the varied physical effects produced by demon-possession, it is noteworthy that in no case did it cause one to be a sinner. The prophet Zechariah foretold the day when prophecy and unclean spirits would be removed from the land (Zechariah 13:2). That day was in the era when the fountain for sin was opened for the house of David (v. 1). Demon-possession corresponded to the time of the establishment of the kingdom of heaven. God allowed it because it provided one more proof of Jesus’ identity. Even critics knew that expulsion required miraculous power. Thus Jesus told them, “If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matthew 12:28). — Via Pathlights, October 31, 2021 |
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