This study was first taught on July 15, 2018

Topic: What is the Church of God? (3): The Place of the Ministers of God in the Church

(use the audio to study)

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Background
Last week, we looked at the issue of “Who is Running the Church of God?” We noted that irrespective of how short a time those who went about preaching the gospel spent in the communities they went to, the Holy Spirit formed churches, as He filled the hearts of those who had heard and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts.

Following the formation of these churches, that is, empowering the gathered saints to obey God, He would then appoint those, through whom He would run the affairs of the local assemblies; these are called “elders”. The truth is, there is no human founder of a church—there may be those who will preach the gospel to the unsaved, but the formation of the church (or local assembly) is the role of the Holy Spirit! Also, the Holy Spirit runs the affairs of the local assemblies through men who have been prepared or sanctified for the purpose.

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 15:36-41; 1 Corinthians 3:1-15; John 4:34-38
Since the Holy Spirit forms and runs the Church, one may be tempted to ask, “What then is the role of the ministers of the gospel?” And in our second text, we are told that one plants (the word), another waters (causes it to grow—gives it meaning and helps people to understand what has been sown); then our third text expands this to one plants, another waters, and yet another harvests (brings in and keeps those who have been brought into the church, until they get to heaven). As we probe into this today, may the Holy Spirit enlighten us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Since the Holy Spirit is running the church, where is the place of the ministers of God? Are they really needed? What is their relationship to the church of God?
Acts 15:36-41; 16:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-8; 4:1; Ephesians 4:8, 11-16; John 17:3; Revelation 2:1, 7, 8, 11; 1 Timothy 3:1-15; Titus 1:5-11; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:28-30; Mark 3:13-15.

Conclusion
The place of the ministers of God in the church is not insignificant. Indeed, if anything, at all, they are extremely essential, as God uses them to establish/confirm the souls in the churches. Also, the ministers of God must necessarily be prepared and spend time with the Lord.

There are ambassadors and administrators, each performing his/her role without causing confusion—there are ‘planters’, ‘waterers’, and, ‘harvesters’. But the minister must be called, chosen, and consecrated for the work of God, which is primarily to grow and groom the saints of God to do the work of God here on the earth! We are here on earth to serve God by Him sending us to where He can do His work through us! And so, we can say, “Here I am, send me … As the Lord needs somebody … Here I am, send me!”

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