Love never fails: ( fails means: ‘ekpipto’, ‘to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient’)

Fathers, the fruit of love is to bring up your children with a love for God's word, not sparing the rod, yet not provoking them to wrath. Husbands show love to their wives by putting them in their best state, physically and spiritually, and caring enough to invest in their wives on a daily basis by washing them in the Scriptures. The fruit of love is that husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the Church; Christ builds up the church, instructs, exhorts in righteousness and laid down his own life for his bride, the Church.

True love does not abandon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, nor does it feel ashamed of the Gospel

The fruit of such love is boldness in extolling the name of the Lord of salvation. True love warns people of eternal damnation and of sin, which leads men astray... false love brings no warning, only 'sweet' lies. True love warns of false doctrine, which leads to shipwreck. True love is being committed to your Brethren in love, to instruct, correct, encourage and rebuke as necessary, in righteousness... with great patience. Love is always concerned with the spiritual welfare of our Brethren, and in the condition of our own heart before God.

Part Seven

5. Our walk of love demonstrates the work of the Holy Spirit within us, our faith, our heart towards God, and ultimately shows that we have been taught sound doctrine. The basic aspect of our walk as Christians, and the beginning of any ministry we perform, is showing love towards our brethren as we serve Christ. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death." 1 John 3:14

"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:" 1 Peter 1:22

If the love of the brethren does not exist in your ministry, then your ministry is not led or empowered by the Spirit of God, regardless of what kind of services you produce. "And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2-3

Showing love towards the brethren exhibits not only the work of God in our hearts but also the strength of our ministry in Christ, and sound doctrine, which permeates and unites the Church. "Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:" 1 Peter 3:8

When the love of a body of believers grows cold, that church becomes anemic and self-serving; not that religion will not thrive, but the love for God and His word dwindles to extinction, save for the remnant God keeps to Himself. "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:7-8

Part Eight

6. As ministers of Love, ambassadors of the Gospel, guardians of the flock, teachers and preachers, one of the most important jobs is to guard the flock of God. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:3

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1 Peter 5:8

"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Acts 20: 29&30

A good pastor oversees his flock and its spiritual condition, testing the fruit and keeping away the wolves. "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." 1 Timothy 6:3-5

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." Matthew 7:16&17

When you find open and corrupt fruit you expel it from among you. "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret." Eph. 5:11&12; "...having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 2 Timothy 3:5 ; "... Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:" 2 Peter 2:13&14

This is true love to care for God's flock, for as Jesus whipped and scourged the money changers out from His temple, so likewise we must aggressively toss out anyone who'd turn the house of God into a den of thieves or attempt to hurt His little ones. "And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise." John 2:15&16

Now, I am not advocating violence, but diligence; when you see grievous or open sin among you, you must act quickly, for as the Scriptures say, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Galations 5:9

"And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name [was] Barjesus... But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also [is called] Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, [thou] child of the devil, [thou] enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord [is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand." Acts 13: 6-11

"For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." 1 Cornthians 5:12&13

As ministers of His Gospel and those whom edify His Body, God has charged us and so this charge should be our continual creed: "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5 "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching." 1 Timothy 4:13

Paul instructs Timothy, in what is often referred to as the 'pastors epistles', to endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist and set up men for ministry and to devotedly read the Scriptures publicly.

Part Nine

7. The love for God's word produces faith: "So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

A man whom walks by faith shows evidence of the Love of God in his life, by the fact that he trusts in the Lord for his provisions and that He will fulfill His promises. This man believes God's word, and in it places his hope and trust; he believes by faith, not seeing the promise. "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." Hebrews 11:13

A man whom walks by faith has peace. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:1-5

The man whom walks by faith ultimately believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and ruler over him, even unto the point of death. "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and [in] mountains, and [in] dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Hebrews 11:37-40

Part Ten

Many ministries today are self-seeking and self-indulging, often set up to make gain of the sheep and their fruit is evident of such. "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24

As Paul, we must not count our lives so dear to ourselves that we may be effective ministers.... but not for: (A.) worldly-gain, (B.) self-service, (C.) making an idol of family, (D.) the pleasures of the world, (E.) hypocrisy & outward appearance, (F.) accusation, (G.) idleness or (H.) self-indulgence.

No minister should live a lavish life or a life of ease; if you are a minister whom has become wealthy off the sheep, then your gain is a shame to you. One of the signs of a false prophet is making gain of the sheep."Dishonest gain" (Titus 1:11), "false prophets...false teachers" (2 Peter 2:1-3), "multitude of merchandise" (Ezekiel 28:16), "prophets for money" (Micah 3:11), "gain the whole world but lose his soul" (Matthew 16:26, Mark 8:36, Luke 9:25). In Jesus' ministry, the two times He became violent were when He saw that His father's house had become a den of thieves (Mark 11:15-17) and a place of merchandise (John 2:14-17).

When faced with a covetous church, Paul went out of his way to refuse money from them, instead worked himself to support his own needs. "And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so." 2 Cornithains 11:9

"Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with [him] I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? [walked we] not in the same steps?" 2 Corinthians 12:17&18

Paul worked with his own two hands to support himself while doing ministry. "I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:33-35

As ministers we do have the right to collect for our needs, and I am not negating that... however, when we are being supported by preaching we have no right to live lavishly. In fact, Paul, when it came to the covetous and lavish cornthians, said he would rather die than collect money from them, and righteously boasted about not collecting from them. "If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast."

Because Paul did not collect from the Corinthians, he was able to speak freely and as he stated: "Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!" 2 Corinthians 12:16

In this Day and age I believe we have a visible church which is corrupted by greed and covetousness, and we should nto collect a dime from time, so that we are not sucked into such corruption, instead being able to speek freely. This just may build up our faith, havingt o rely on God to provide our needs,outside the temple.

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:10-12

Self-Service: Part Ten (B.)

Annanias & Sapphira are classic examples of this; they made an outward show of religious piety, but lied to the Holy Spirit. (Acts 5) They sold a piece of land and kept back part of the profit for themselves and brought the rest to Peter, making a pretence that they brought the whole amount the land sold for.

This is a warning, to those whom are in minsitry; if we are going to boast of giving we better make sure we are giving all we say we are, whether it be of our time, our labor, or our money... our boast must be true and accurate, not distorting the facts for our own benefit, lest we be found lying to the Holy Spirit. By the way, Annanias and Sapphira were struck dead by the Holy Spirit, because they lied.

Family Worship: Part Ten (C.1)

Christendom as of late, seeing the direction of the modern perverse culture and devious hatred of godly principles, or anything to do with morality, has attempted to counter-act such depravity with 'family values'; in principle this is fine, but it did not stop at family values, but began the institution of the Religion of Family. This is evident with ministries like 'Focus on the Family' whose title says it all; instead of focusing on Christ, the focus is consumed with family matters, wrapped in modern psychology. Another example is 'Family Life'; it is only God whom provides and sustains life.

A lot of these so-called ministries have built their focus on platforms which are not based on Biblical principles, evidences by the man-created religious traditions, other that what Christ taught, and the love of such traditions verses the Love of God. "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Mathew 10:34-37

The sin that is committed is that of idolatry, making the family an idol, not looking to the Lord for solutions but instead to man's wisdom, man's theology and man's understanding.

Family Worship: Part Ten (C.2)

"[As for] my people, children [are] their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead

thee cause [thee] to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people." Isaiah 3:12&13

Feminism (or in other words women ruling over the men) is the 'dry rot' of the church, slowly but surely destroying the structure and foundation, making it weak and anemic. Although the gates of hell will never prevail against the Church, feminism will always take out the phony believers, oppose the Truth and cause undo stress for the saints. It may just be the strongest tool that the Devil is using in modern christianity against those whom are trying to serve Christ, either taking them out through illicit relationships outside of marriage or destroying marriage itself, creating such bitterness among men and women that they are no longer useful for the service of the Lord, having disqualified themselves through disobedience. Worst of all, it causes men to begin to lose their first Love, thus becoming cold and indifferent towards their fellow Brethren.

For this reason, in my opinion, Feminism today is the chief opposition of those whom preach the Gospel; it enslaves women to the pursuit their desires, of which they never satisfied, taking on burdens they were not intended to bear, which they ultimately grow to loathe completely.

As a result of men's authority being removed in 'modern Christendom', there is friction and rebellion in marriages and power struggles of who is going to lead the home; the Scripture clearly put this responsibility on the man, whom is the head of his house, whom is responsible for his wife’s and children’s actions and should be held accountable for any inability to lead with Scriptures.

The modern idea of marital counseling is decidedly unbiblical; nowhere in the Scriptures will you find Jesus, Paul the Apostle or any other apostle, any of the old testament prophets, Moses, or Abraham practicing in the secular art of marriage counseling. The Scriptures speak generally or corporately to or about marriage and of roles of wives and husbands within the Body of Christ. No where do you find marriage counseling/intervention into a marriage, save for one possible example: Ananias and Sapphira, where the Apostle Peter called into question their offering, they lied and were struck dead by the Holy Spirit as a result. This even was not about their marriage, but of their holding back a portion of what they had promised as a couple, and then lying to the Holy Spirit.

The practice of marriage counseling has not led to the success of marriages but has instead led to the further success of feminism, oppressive children and homosexuality. As a result, the tentacles of feminism have all but choked out most 'ministries' today, trading good, Biblical hermeneutics for feeling, emotions and bad doctrine. For this reason, feminism is the chief platform on which the family idol sits.

Seeking Worldly Pleasure: Part Ten (D.)

Seeking the pleasures of this world is not a new phenomenon. Moses knew that the reproach of Christ had greater

riches than all the treasure in Egypt; he did not seek the pleasures of the world, but instead chose to follow God. (Heb. 11:24-26)

Many think that they can have their pleasures and as well as be named as servants of God; in other words, they want the Spirit but not the Cross. They want to experience the power of God, but they refuse to lift a finger to do anything. Worst of all they think that getting pleasure here and now is somehow a sign of their 'godliness', as seen in the modern name-it-and-claim-it type movements.

Jesus gave us a warning: those whom go on with Christ are not those whom seek the pleasures of this world. The seed sown among the thorns grew, but was soon choked out by the deceitfulness of riches and the cares of the world. (Matthew 13:22) Many Christians today have been choked out, all the while claiming they have some form of godliness or a ministry, but these are empty of the Holy Spirit.

"Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed..." (2 Timothy 4:9-10)

Like Demas or John Mark, those whom love this present world will not stick around to preach the Gospel and tend to leave, or even lead people away on various rabbit trails.

Idleness: Part Ten (E.)

Ministries that once saw the hand of God upon them begin to lose their effectiveness when experiencing ease and comfort, become slothful... not addressing the decay and dry rot which slowly creeps in. With a little bit of folding of the hand and shutting of the eye towards sinful leaven entering into the camp, poverty of spirit comes upon them. Idleness causes the structure to collapse after a period of neglect. "By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through." Ecc. 10:18

Idleness is a slow killer to any ministry; it does not necessarily mean you are doing nothing, but more that you have become proud and fat. Like gluttons whom overindulge, not knowing the meaning of need, with lavish increase their pleasures are not satisfied, and their eyes are weary of riches. These find themselves continually burnt-out of the things of God because they are focused on indulgence and riches, thus becoming spiritually idle. "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint." Proverbs 23:4; "...put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony." Proverbs 23:2

As in the case of Sodom, much idleness leads to lasciviousness and hell-inspired perversions. "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy." Ezekiel 16:49

Ministries infected with idleness become filled with people whom live to gossip and meddle, causing division among brethren and ultimately attempting to undermine the Church from its very foundation by despising Christ, their Lord and Maker. "And withal they learn [to be] idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not." 2 Timothy 5:13

This is intrinsic to why modern christendom here in America is so anemic and weak: we are fat, happy and idle. The visible church is fast decaying and at the final stages of breakdown, the structure being all but completely compromised. The shepherds, whom were charged to oversee the flocks, have become proud, riddled with lasciviousness and some even caught in the most shameful and vile of sins. It would have been better for most of these pastors to work with their own two hands, rather than to accept the money of corruption from those whom do not have a heart towards Christ, but towards their own pleasures. "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." Titus 1:11-12 (used in the present tense, Paul is speaking directly to the church today)

Idle pastors are like trees which can produce fruit, but do not. "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." 2 Peter 1:8-9

In turn, the idle people of modern christendom have becomes gossips, tearing the true Brethren to shreds, causing evil dissension and going from house to house destroying marriages. Those whom are slothful and idle will not inherit the promise of Faith.

"For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:10-12

Part 11 - Training

Our walk should be one which encompasses our ministry; it is not just something we do from 9-5, 40 hours a week,

but is ingrained in our very fibre from the moment we are Born Again. Paul refers to our walk with Christ as one may run in a race, to win the prize.

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

The way we train for this race is by beating our flesh into submission. When I played football as a youth, one of the copious ways our coach would prepare us for the inevitable Overtime-trying-to-get-the-three-pointer-play was to run the bleachers; some of us would run so much we'd puke. Another way we'd train was to run a Big 1600 yard warm-up, where we'd sprint a hundred yards, and think "that was a piece of cake"; then we'd run backwards a hundred yards; then we'd crawl a hundred yards, and do up-downs for a hundred yards. Then we'd repeat the process, again and again... until we had acheived the 1600 yard objective. Not to mention an additional hour of weight training, and stretches and other excersizes relatied to our place on the field. All to prepare us for the possible forth-quarter or overtime win.

And yes, as Christians we run to win the prize, not for our salvation (for there is nothing we can do to attian Salvation) but, we run in obedience to our Lord, from whence comes many disciplines and 1600 pre-warm-ups. Depending on our gifts, which God has given us, He has set forth a custom-made rigorous training program to hep us stay the course, lest our work be futile.

Part12 - Wasting Time

One thing we must avoid is wasting time. When we do ministry, it shoud be effective and have Eternal benefits. Today, there are aimless ministries which seem adept at wasting time; they make a great show for all to see, but in reality they just spasmatically beat the air.

Some examples of this are basketball-type 'minstries', where we all get together and slam dunkin' shoot hoops for Christ; in reality it should be called 'bolster-the-ego-ministry'. It merely wastes time building a 'good' veneer. Other examples: karate-type ministries which claim to spread the Gospel, but instead they waste time 'kickin' ass' for Jesus; ministries that specifically concentrate on preaching only to the given-over sodomites; attending a Sunday service in which you spend two hours at, in which you do not fellowship with Brethren, or edify the Brethren nor preach the Gospel. One of my pet peeves is the infamous 'After-church-let's-watch-the-Superbowl-for-Jesus (alcohol and smoke free) Party'. Aren't those lascivious ads great? Let's enjoy them together.

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." John 15:2

The fact is that if your ministry does not produce fruit, God promises it will be taken away.

Part 12: Vain Building

Psalm 127:1 "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it..."

Today's Christendom probably has more ministry going on than at any other time in history; we have more churches, Christian books, papers, studies, even Christian video games... right down to the 'Christian Faith' Master Card. We have mega-churches which make the Vatican seem puny. I am certain that if you asked most folks in America today they would most likely say they do believe in God, and either had a Christian origin or are currently calling themselves Christians.

So, Christendom today has become a kind of mega-global corporation, in which billions of dollars are filtered through the guise of non-profits to the hands of corrupt men; and, there is big money to be made, and many have profited handsomly.

However, at no other point in Amercian history have we seen more lascivious and wicked behavior than at this time. The very fibres of our society have begun to unravel, and the only answer from the churches on this issue is to comfort those in thier sin in some vague hope that they may 'see the moral light', when they themselves live contrary. Consequently, Christendom as a whole, here in America, has become inept, impotent and fat. Yes, modern Christianity has labored and labored much, but the labor has been in vain, instead working for conceited, decadent and perverted ends.

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary." Jer. 51:58

American modern christendom has taken the one talent from the master, and instead of investing it in the Kingdom and earning interest, they have buried it in the things of this Earth, which are perishing. Jesus told the Laodiceans: "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Revalations 3:17-19

Effective Ministry - Part 13: The Devil's Role (A)

A solider does not go into battle without knowing his enemy, nor does he plan a mission without intel on the

enemy's movements and position; as Christians, we should not think ourselves to be so wise and not know, or be concerned with the evil workings of the Devil and his minions. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]." Ephesians 6:12

I suspect most modern, professing Christians, when reading this passage of Scripture, do not get far past the words: "We wrestle not...". In fact, most of modern Christians may have 20 Spiritual swords (Bibles) in their homes with which to fight the enemy, but have not learned the skill and artistry to wield them. This is one of the chief goals of the Devil within modern Christendom: to foster a weak, inept church ruled by their own flesh.
We, however, whom are Christians understand there is always a spiritual dynamic when we take up our cross and follow Christ.

The Devil works within the realms of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life; these are areas as Christians that we must be super-sensitive towards the Spirit in, when we feel we are being tempted. "For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:16-17

The Devil is the king of fear, and preys on our weaknesses and sins. The devil is a murderer, a liar and the father of all lies. "Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." John 8:44

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1 Peter 5:8

Effective Ministry - Part 13: (B1) Rebuking the Devil

Matthew 4: Jesus, Himself, was tempted by the Devil with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of

life. In verse 4, Jesus answers the Devil out of his own words from Deuteronomy, "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

This is the first time we see Jesus dealing with the Devil; by rebuking the enemy with The Word, He lays down the very doctrine in how we, as Christians doing effective ministry, are to deal with the Devil and his minions. Bread alone will not defeat the Devil; we must use the words of the One and Living God. Like Israel before they received manna from heaven, the Lord allows us to be hungry, that we may partake of the Bread of Life, and we defeat the enemy by faith and God's Word.

Jesus, in the face of temptation, rebukes the Devil with God's word and God's word alone, laying down a pattern for us on how we are to rebuke the scheme of the father of lies, by faith and God's word.
"And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live." Deuteronomy 8:3

Effective Ministry - Part 13: (B2) Hungering After God's Word

"And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither

did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live." Deuteronomy 8:3

It is God whom allows us to become hungry, that we may depend on Him for all our sustinance. God, through His Word, has broken us and made us new through His redeeming work; as spiritual Israelites, we have only to go look for the manna that He has provided for us through His word. There is not a single, healthy baby that comes into this world not hungry for food. Likewise, all true believers hunger for God's word. All false believers do not.
As Christians, we always have our flesh to deal with, and this is where the Devil does his work: he begins to tempt us with other things, speaking into our ear that there is more to life than God's Word. This is what befell Israel as they wandered the desert, eating God's provisions of manna in the morning and quail at night. However, the people wanted the fish of the Nile, the melons, onions and cucumbers of Egypt, saying "we have only this manna on the ground". God's wrath was kindled against them, and made them eat flesh for thirty days, and brought a plague upon them even as the food was in their mouths; His wrath came upon them because they desired food from a source other than God. (Numbers 11)

God cares today for His people, the Church, as much as He did then; but, when we desire sources of spiritual nourishment, other than God's Word, His wrath is kindled against us. A hunger for God's Word is essential to effective ministry, of which the Lord's annointing comes upon you and obedience follows by faith. Thus is how we effectively extinguish the flaming arrows of the Devil.

Effective Ministry - Part Thirteen: (B3) Obedience, the Antidote to the Devil's Infection

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" James 4:1

Ongoing quarrels and fights show the motivation of one's heart, that one is lusting after the things of this earth. James does not waste time in trying to mediate a quarrel, telling two parties to 'come to a common ground'; he simply tells them that they possess wicked desires and thus is the reason they are fighting among themselves. In other words, in this particular case both parties are guilty because the longing for worldly pleasure is more important than their love for The Church.

James does not rebuke Brethren here for debating Scripture, but talks of those whom are covetous and full of lusts.

"You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God." James 4:2

James elaborates a little more on his point, going so far as to say they have killed; this may be literal or figurative to the doctrine that John laid out, inspired by the Spirit of God: "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." 1 John 3:15.

One of the key components of disobedience, and that empowered by Satan, is one whom says he is in Christ but hates the Brother that he claims to love. By hatred of the Brethren through envy and strife the Devil tries to divide the Body of Christ.

"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3

These covetous men are consumed by their pleasures and think on them day and night; when they approach the Lord, they do so with only their pleasures in mind. With long, extended and eloquent prayers, they go on and on, asking for things which are amiss. Instead of being obedient, they become tools of Satan, to waste time and distract the true saints away from seeking the Lord.

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4

These people are adulterous in their hearts towards God, claiming to be the Bride of Christ and yet being a whore, having all the outward attributes of a chaste virgin. If that wasn't good enough, with spoiled doctrines they have bedecked others with many heavy jewels and metals, but such have becomes burdens that they themselves cannot bear. Jude describes them like cloud with no rain, as if one is in the desert with a tremendous thirst and hoping for just a drop of water to fall on you that you may be refreshed; yet the cloud merely teases you with it's appearance, and gives no comfort, and save the Lord intervene, you are left to rot. Because of their disobedience, these people become agents for the Devil and his schemes.

This verse states that we, as Christians, cannot be friends with the world. Such a friendship will compromise our walk with Christ. James refers to more than just having friends within the world, but speaking of the entire ideology of the world, that we are to be separate from it. When the world views us by our neighbors and by our co-workers, that they see we are different and set apart, that we have not partaken of their ideology and devilish pleasure, but abhor such things. Clearly, this remands Christians from making friends with the world in order to 'witness'; such 'friendship evangelism' is cowardly, dishonest and corrupt and is completely disobedient to the Scriptures.

"Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?" James 4:5

God, in His infinite love for the Church and his people, is one whom is possessive and jealous. So much so that He saw the sins of the world and sent His only begotten son to bear our sin upon the Cross. "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ." 2 Cr. 11:2

God will not share us with anyone else; we are His bride and we have been perfected through the atoning work of Christ and empowered by His Spirit, to walk obediently; the Devil because of his intense hatred and evil jealously of us, does his best to stumble us by introducing 'new and improved', hip bridegrooms. The enemy entices with gifts and betrothal rings, which are nothing more than lifeless idols.

The true Bride, however stays chaste, like the wise virgins making certain the lamps are full of oil and ready. When the foolish, disobedient, Satanically-inspired virgins come and beg oil of us, for they were not ready, we must refuse them... lest we denied by our Lord.

Effective Minstry - Part Thirteen: (B4) Resist the Devil

"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

To the rigtheous, those of us whom live righteouss because we walk obedienctly to Christ becuase of His power and Spirit, He show grace; where sin abounds Grace abouds all the more. When we sin, we have an advocate with the Father on our behalf, to whom we can go, confess our sins and be forgiven. And, dare I propose, I do not believe the Lord is concerned with the amount of sin that one may commit, but of our attitude of repentance and our heart's condition, with one possible exception of the sins mentioned in 1 Corinithians 6:9-10, which are describe people committing certain sins and continuously, that such will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

For as the Scriptures say, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

When we feel the breath of the Devilish beast upon our neck, and perceive his readiness to maim us and kill us, and fear begins to take hold of our heart, let us trust in Christ, knowing that we are His and the Devil is under the control of God, Himself; God will not allow one hair of our head to be harmed if He so desires. When we feel the temptations or the flaming darts fo the Decvil, let us stand our ground with the sheild of faith, the helmet of salvation, the breatplate of righteouness and oppose the enemy with the sword of Truth.

Effective Ministry - Part Thirteen: (B5) Seeking Humility

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you

double‑minded." James 4:8

The Lord is always near to those whom are in Christ. We have but to call on His name, with our heart being one of contrition, realizing our position as finite beings: corrupted by sin at birth, deserving Hell and to be thrown into the lake of Fire, but yet, through Jesus Christ, we are granted eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Where wrath was justified, Mercy was given.

So, when we come to God, our hands are washed clean, and our hearts purified through His wonderful works and His Word. And, being inpsired by the Spirit we repent and obey. Thusly, we resist the Devil and he flees.
"Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:9-10

Many times God does His best work in us in our greatest pain, as if God speaks the loudest when we are hurting the most. Much grief can be equated with God's blaring voice, that we may hear and obey and be comforted, and find hope and peace. This is contrary to the Devil, whom does his best work when we are comfortable, whispering in our ear to take our pleasures while we can. Knowing this, we must always be on guard, but especially when things are going well for us.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1 Peter 5:8

The devil does not seek humiliy, but seeks to be immediately lifted up, and likewise those whom follow the neemy and his lies seek not to be humble, but seeks to keep men down, weighed by their sins.

As Christians, when the time is right, either on our death or when the Lord returns, we shall be lifted up from our flesh and made new; while we wait, the Lord will lift up our countenance and will avenge us to our enemies, for the Lord promises: "vengenace is mine; I will recompense."

Part Fourteen: Where is Your Faith?

There are two things that 'kill' a Gospel preaching ministry to the world, the first is a hardened heart and the second is disbelief; such are the final nails in the coffin. over hte years I have seen many spirit-inspired men, whom later became well-known pastors, preach on the streets of San Francisco, whom now have large and successful congregations here in Sacramento, some whom even serve on evangelistic boards of a street preaching ministry in San Francisco; but to ask these same men today to join in (or even verbally support) preaching the Gospel is like pulling teeth. These men often say "Been there done that.", and they will give you every reason in their bean-counting book on why it isn't effective to preach the Gospel out on the street or go witnessing, but the real reason is that they have hardened their heart and their faith is lacking. Many times these are the very people whom oppose the preaching of the Gospel the most, most notably through their through their puffed-up and regurgitated sermons.

"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." Mark 16:14

God has appeared to all of us through the power of the Gospel, and those whom go forth and preach proclaim repentance and remission of sins to all those will believe. Likewise He chastens those whom He loves to have faith, believeing that when we accurately preach the Gospel from the Scriptures it has the power to convert the hardest of hearts. It is always effective when the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached.

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15-16

Jesus did not say: "go ye into a church each Sunday, tithe and spend the rest of your days in hibernation.", nor did He say: "bring the world into the Church" (bad company corrupts good judgement). Instead He emphatically said: "go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature". This is a great and high command and a wonderful privledge to be called ot preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ... our Lord, our King and our God. Let no man steal your joy; when you go out go with boldness, proclaiming repentance from sin and remission of sin through Jesus Christ. Do not be put off if no man will go with you, even Paul the Apostle said once that no man would stand up with him, but that the Lord was with him. Likewise the Lord is with us, even when we feel at our faintest.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10

- Steven Styles

We encourage you to email the author to prove or disprove, from the Scriptures, the intent, meaning, purpose or doctrine of this piece. email Steven