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Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Friday,
October 13, 2023
Colorful
autumn
pumpkins at
the Schopf
Brothers Farm
on Colebrook
Road
"Devoted
To Ministry"
Note:
Since
Brooksyne's
return from
her trip to
Oklahoma late
Monday evening
we have had a
very busy week
as she catches
up and I seem
to have more
duties as well
helping her to
catch up! We
did not post a
message
yesterday and
have another
busy Friday
and weekend.
Message
summary:
“The
service of the
Lord’s people”
is the very
essence of a
vital
component in
God’s call for
each of
us.
Those who have
a key role in
a church may
be referred to
as “pillars of
the
church.”
Are we all
doing our part
to uphold the
service of the
Lord's people
in our
household of
faith?
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“You
know that the
household of
Stephanas were
the first
converts in
Achaia, and
they have
devoted
themselves to
the service of
the Lord’s
people. I urge
you, brothers
and sisters,
to submit to
such people
and to
everyone who
joins in the
work and
labors at it”
(1 Corinthians
16:15).
Today,
amidst the
heightened
chaos of our
very broken
world,
especially
considering
the horrific
events taking
place in
Israel, let us
consider the
ongoing
mission of
Christ's
church as
believers all
over the world
devote
themselves to
the service of
the Lord’s
people. It's
as a score of
little-known
people serve
faithfully
that we keep
being the salt
and light this
world so
desperately
needs.
Paul begins this section by referring to a Stephanas and his household whom we otherwise know very little about. I have never given much consideration to this verse though I should with the name Stephanas!
But this household was well known to the Corinthian believers with the distinction of being the first converts in Achaia (the region that included Corinth). In fact the only other reference to Stephanas in the Bible is a statement concerning baptism when Paul states in 1 Corinthians 1:16 that he baptized them, an interesting point in regard to them being the first converts!
There are three essential commitments that we urge you to follow:
“The service of the Lord’s people” is the very essence of a vital component in God’s call for each of us. Those who have a key role in a church may be referred to as “pillars of the church”. Are we all doing our part to uphold the service of the Lord's people in our household of faith?
Paul begins this section by referring to a Stephanas and his household whom we otherwise know very little about. I have never given much consideration to this verse though I should with the name Stephanas!
But this household was well known to the Corinthian believers with the distinction of being the first converts in Achaia (the region that included Corinth). In fact the only other reference to Stephanas in the Bible is a statement concerning baptism when Paul states in 1 Corinthians 1:16 that he baptized them, an interesting point in regard to them being the first converts!
There are three essential commitments that we urge you to follow:
1)
A Commitment
To
Perseverance
I wonder how
many years
earlier this
household had
converted to
Christ?
It is obvious
that they had
a genuine
conversion
experience. It
transformed
their lives!
Over the years
I’ve heard
many great
conversion
testimonies
but some just
don’t
last.
Praise God for
those who
persevere such
as the
household of
Stephanas as
well as many
whom we have
met in the
course of our
ministry.
2) A Commitment To Teamwork Notice that Paul emphasizes the "household of Stephanas". In fact that is how it is worded in 1 Corinthians 1:16 regarding their baptism as well. It is “they” (plural) that Paul is commending. What a blessing to see a household; the whole family serving the Lord together. What power and influence is found in a household that works together!
3) A Commitment To Ministry "They have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people". The KJV uses an interesting word to describe the intensity of this devotion, "They have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints". The Amplified Bible states “They have consecrated and devoted themselves to the service of the saints (God’s people)". This description of Christian workers is quite a contrast to our times where many churches struggle to get needed workers for ministry opportunities.
2) A Commitment To Teamwork Notice that Paul emphasizes the "household of Stephanas". In fact that is how it is worded in 1 Corinthians 1:16 regarding their baptism as well. It is “they” (plural) that Paul is commending. What a blessing to see a household; the whole family serving the Lord together. What power and influence is found in a household that works together!
3) A Commitment To Ministry "They have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people". The KJV uses an interesting word to describe the intensity of this devotion, "They have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints". The Amplified Bible states “They have consecrated and devoted themselves to the service of the saints (God’s people)". This description of Christian workers is quite a contrast to our times where many churches struggle to get needed workers for ministry opportunities.
“The service of the Lord’s people” is the very essence of a vital component in God’s call for each of us. Those who have a key role in a church may be referred to as “pillars of the church”. Are we all doing our part to uphold the service of the Lord's people in our household of faith?
Be
encouraged
today,
(Hebrews
3:13)
Daily prayer:
Father,
we want to be
used of You in
the service of
Your people.
Help us to be
open to that
which You call
us to do as
You enable us
to serve
others.
Keep us
committed in
our Christian
walk, in
working with
others, and in
our calling to
minister to
the needs of
those You lay
on our hearts.
In the name of
Jesus we pray.
Amen.
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father,
we want to be
used of You in
the service of
Your people.
Help us to be
open to that
which You call
us to do as
You enable us
to serve
others.
Keep us
committed in
our Christian
walk, in
working with
others, and in
our calling to
minister to
the needs of
those You lay
on our hearts.
In the name of
Jesus we pray.
Amen.
Colorful
autumn
pumpkins at
the Schopf
Brothers Farm
on Colebrook
Road
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
The
dry brittle
leaves
littering the
still green
lawn add a
natural autumn
setting for
the pumpkins
at the Schopf
Brothers Farm.
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
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WEBER -
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In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering
to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
If
you desire you
can also
donate
directly
through PayPal
using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber". We
keep this
option
available due
to the
familiarity,
convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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