November 10

1 Corinthians 11:26

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup…



…you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”





PRAY FOR GODLY PASTORS!

Question: Why are more and more pastors, walking away from the ministry?

Today, I want us to consider the importance of the “Calling” of the Lord into the work of ministry, or as I like to refer to it as “the calling factor”. There seems to be some confusion concerning this. From some of the testimonies we hear at ordinations, I’ve  learned that not just a few of the young men going into ministry today have never truly sensed a divine call to the ministry, but rather, they only have an over-whelming desire to serve the Lord. That being the case, you see, they have simply volunteered. I would never question their dedication or love for the Lord, but I would question their ability to stay the course, or on course, without a divine call from the Lord. The implication from Paul’s claim to having been called to be an Apostle, is that a call is also necessary for the other three men gifted to the church, namely the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastor (Eph. 4:11). When Paul wrote to young Timothy in II Tim. 1:9, he challenged him concerning his call to the ministry. And when Paul said in I Tim. 3:1, “if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work,” he was not equating this desire with a divine call. He was simply introducing the subject of being a bishop and the qualifications there of.




Historically, the subject of a divine call to ministry had little to do with volunteerism. But, a divine call was surely a prerequisite to entering the ministry. Because, apart from a divine call from the Lord, few men have the spiritual stamina to stay the course. The trenches of preparing and delivering 3-5 sermons, or more, every week year after year, will drive a volunteer out of the ministry faster than almost anything, if he isn’t truly called of God. He also has to counsel, program, plan, guide, direct, perform, encourage, visit, win souls and much more. Believe me, without a divine call, he will be finished almost before he gets started. Apart from God’s call, a man will sooner or later walk away from the ministry to do something else, which isn’t all bad, that is, if he is not called. Blessed is the man who finally finds his calling in life. Continue to pray, sometimes it takes awhile.

 

FAITH AND MARRIAGE

Family members pleaded with him not to marry. But the young man wouldn’t listen. What was the family’s concern? He was a believer in Jesus; she was not. They knew that the union would dishonor God and that the two would face struggles due to disunity. They were right. One year after they walked the aisle, the couple divorced.




The principle of believers marrying other believers in Jesus is found throughout God’s Word. In Ezra 9, for instance, Jewish leaders came to the prophet and told him that Israelite men had begun marrying women who did not follow the God of Israel. They said, “The holy race has become polluted by these mixed marriages” (v.2).




In the New Testament, the the Apostle Paul asks us to consider these verses:

• Marry only a believer—“A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39).

• Be one in Jesus—“Wives . . . submit to your husbands as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). “Husbands . . . love your wives, just as Christ loved the church” (v.25).

A shared faith in Jesus with the one you marry is vital. You husbands must give honor to your wives. . . . She is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life (1 Peter 3:7).

A Reminder!!! Our Church Service starts at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Prayer Meeting is 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. ALL ARE WELCOME!

     CH_ _ CH, What’s Missing? U R!!

THE QUESTION OF THE MONTH

“Can you be a follower of Jesus, and NOT follow Jesus?  AND, If you’re NOT a follower of Christ, are you a Christian?

 

Video files of our worship services are available on the Internet. Last week’s viewings totaled 418 on God Tube TV and 303 on Sermon TV for a total of  721.  We pray that you were blessed by last week’s message and look forward to hearing from you.  To view this week's message click here for God Tube TV or here for Sermon TV.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in Arizona.
*********************************************************************************************************************
It would be encouraging to us if you would let us know that you received our newsletter. We welcome your comments.