The Ministry of the Holy Spirit IV

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Sunday 01/12/14

Topic: Review: Unity, Co-partnership & The Spirit

 

Series – The Ministry of the Holy Spirit IV.mp3

 

 

 

Key Text:    Jn. 14:15-27

Matt. 25:14-25

Well we began again with a review since there were so many interruptions through the holidays. So this morning we began with reaffirming the Holy Spirit’s roll in convincing the church that we are unified with God.

After this we began looking at our co-partnership with the Holy Spirit by reading several biblical references highlighting this fact.  The first of which we spent a little time one…

  • Co-participation within His Kingdom work & Gospel message (or the good news)

We examined the terminology used by the apostles concerning the work and message of the Gospel and discovered that far from making messages about our salvation or our deliverance from hell – the apostles taught the Gospel of the Kingdom. By this we discovered that the Gospel preached throughout the first century was focused upon God and furthering His kingdom. Now it is important to remember that the kingdom of God is His rule and reign within the hearts of man. THIS is what was offered to people, a chance to lay down their self-focused lives and submit to the Lord of a spiritual kingdom and give their lives up to it.

The following are but a few examples:

  • Acts 5:1-8 (Gospel of the Kingdom – reconciliation)
  • Acts 8:12
  • Acts 14:22 (Doesn’t this agree with what Jesus said – Matt. 11:11-13 & Lk. 16:16)
  • Acts 19:8
  • Acts 20:25

We then went on to define what co-partnership really means and see the use of this word throughout the New Testament.

Examples of Co-partnership

 

  • 1 Cor. 1:9 – Fellowship of His Son
  • 1Cor. 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
  • 2Cor. 6:14  Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
  • 2Cor. 13:14  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
  • Eph. 3:9 – fellowship of the mystery
  • Phil. 1:5 – fellowship in the gospel
  • Phil. 2:1 – Fellowship of the Spirit
  • Phil. 3:10 – Fellowship of His sufferings
  • 1 Jn. 1:3, 6 & 7 – Him and each other

Finally, we played the following video which revealed the conflict which exists between how we percieve God and Who He really is. Then we offered a few scriptures to read at home concerning the heart of the Holy Spirit towards us as is evidenced by the way He initially takes hold of us in Salvation!

  • Acts 2:1-4  When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.  (2)  Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.  (3)  And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them.  (4)  Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.
  • Acts 10:44  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
  • Acts 11:15  And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
  • Acts 20:10  And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
  • Luke 15:20  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
  • Acts 20:37  And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,

On Wednesday we will likely spend our time on our co-partnership with Him in His sufferings. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor Mark

View posts by Pastor Mark

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!