A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 1016 Published: 05 Apr 2021
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW
PREACHING AND TEACHING
Greek (Western) Under the Greek mindset, preaching is the primary way of conveying God's Word to people, both saved and unsaved.
The traditional form of preaching that we know today was introduced by the Roman Catholic Church, from the time Constantine accepted Christianity in the 4th century AD. Then, and for more than 1000 years thereafter, the people did not have access to the Scriptures and were reliant upon the Priests of the church to proclaim the Scriptures to them.
However, this Greek/Roman mindset and pattern continued through the Reformation and remains with us today. Our whole Christian setup, from buildings, to preachers, to worship services, is based on the foundation of the sermon.
Buildings: Countless billions of dollars have been spent on building structures primarily designed as auditoriums for God's word to be proclaimed from a pulpit up the front.
Preachers: The first role of a minister, pastor, or priest, is to prepare and present sermons, to preach to the people in their congregation.
Worship: Worship services are nearly always centred round the preaching of the word.
Only this week, a pastor told me that accepted Theological College teaching is that it takes 7 years from the commencement of a pastorate, for the pastor to have had time to influence his congregation's way of thinking through his preaching.
Obviously, looking at churches worldwide, the current, sermon based system, is ineffective in bringing in new believers, and in turning current believers into disciples.
Eastern (Hebrew) In traditional Jewish ways, the primary means of bringing spiritual understanding is through interactive teaching.
The specific way of learning was by way of discussion - the asking and answering of questions. Jesus as a 12 year old could read and talk to the senior Rabbis of the day in the Temple.....
45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. (Luke 2:45-7)
Jesus, as a Rabbi, was primarily a teacher. In the Jewish way of the time He, in particular, taught a small group of 12 disciples, whom He sent out to preach to non-believers.....
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ (Matthew 10:5-7)
For both Jesus and Paul there are 5 times as many mentions of them teaching as preaching, at a time when there were relatively few believers.
The best quoted justification of preaching in the New Testament was the night before Paul left Troas.....
7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. (Acts 20:7)
He spoke for that long as he was leaving, and it had deadly consequences that resulted in a miracle!
9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” (Acts 20:9-10)
Today, most sleepers are in seats and wake up at the end of the sermon! Been there, done that! LOL!
There is no specialised ministry gift of preaching mentioned in the New Testament.....
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
The only 'preacher' identified in the Bible was Noah. He also preached, unsuccessfully, to the unconverted. Paul too, preached to the unconverted, but he taught the believers.
Presently, we seek to place preaching primarily in the domain of the pastor. However, it rightly belongs to the evangelist, and then only when addressing large groups of people. Person to person evangelism though, is generally found to produce more fruitful, long term results today.
Disciples are not created through preaching, but by teaching and mentoring new believers through the challenges of everyday life, in order to build up an ongoing faith in Jesus.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. While preaching is designed to reach the unconverted, teaching is the means to help those already churched grow in God.
2. Teaching should be interactive, in order for the participants to receive the full benefit.
3. Mentoring new converts is an essential part of the discipleship process.
4. Obviously, this has huge implications for the current way things are done in the church.
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples (John 13:1-20)
Peter protests.
“You won’t realize what I’m doing for you now. But one day you’ll understand.”
“If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me,”
“Anyone who has had a bath only needs to wash their feet and then they’re clean all over. You are clean—but not all of you.”
“Do you understand what I’ve done to you?” “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that’s who I am. So if I, your Teacher and Lord, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example, so you should do just as I did. I tell you the truth, servants are not more important than their master, and the one sent is not greater than the sender. Now that you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
I’m not talking about all of you—I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill Scripture: “The one who
shares my food has turned against me. I’m telling you this now, before it happens, so when it does happen you will be convinced that I am who I am. I tell you the truth, whoever welcomes anyone I send welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me.”
The Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-9, Mark 14:22-5, Luke 22:14-20 , 1 Corinthians 11:23-9)
Instructions to Peter and John.
“I’ve been really looking forward to eating this Passover meal with you before my sufferings begin. I tell you I shall not eat it again until the time it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
Taking the cup.
“Take this and share it among yourselves. I tell you that I won’t drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
Taking the bread.
“This is my body which is given for you; do this in order to remember me,”
Taking the cup again after supper.
“This cup is the new agreement in my blood which is poured out for you.”
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal (Matthew 26:21-5), Mark 14:18-21, Luke 22:21-3, John 13:21-30)
By Judas.
“I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”
“It’s the one to whom I will give a piece of bread after I have dipped it.”
“What you’re going to do, do it quickly,”
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
1225. Prosperity comes, prosperity goes, but God's provision is eternal life.
1227. Faith is of more value in affliction than in prosperity.
1228. A general rule in God's economy is that faith grows through affliction, but dies with prosperity.
1229. Want to build your faith? Then ask God for affliction, not prosperity. Not surprising there is so little faith today!
1230. It is an enigma to me to see the carparks at prosperity preacher's meetings full of old jalopies!
1231. History proves that God's kingdom grows faster through affliction than prosperity.
1226. Prosperity is human indulgence, sacrifice, a godly command.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK:GOD AND MAN continues.....
... as we look towards the next two steps in claiming our inheritance.
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
*** Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. ***
32. A Tricky Tipple
Knowing that the minister was very fond of Cherry Brandy, one of the church elders offered to give him a bottle on one condition. – that he acknowledge receipt of the gift in the Church Bulletin.
The next Sunday, the elder turned at once to the ‘Appreciation’ column. There he read: "The minister extends his thanks to Elder Brown for his gift of fruit and the spirit in which it was given."
33. The Joys Of Marriage
A newly married pastor was taking a walk with his father one day, who asked how he was enjoying his young wife’s home cooking.
The pastor replied, "My wife’s cooking is so bad, we pray after we eat."
QWIK QWIP: “He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.”
34. Church Bulletin Bloopers Continue….
*** Twenty-two members were present at the church meeting held at the home of Mrs Martha Crutchfield last evening. Mrs Crutchfield and Mrs Rankin sang a duet, ‘The Lord Knows Why.’
*** Thursday night potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.
*** The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs Julie Belzer.
*** This afternoon there will be a meeting in the north and south ends of the church. Children will be baptised at both ends.
*** On Tuesday there will be an ice cream social at 4pm. All ladies giving milk, please come early.
Download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
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A DAVID MUSING
RESSURECTION MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!
As we have just celebrated the Resuraction of Jesus, it is important to remember that without resurection, there is no life.
Jesus, unlike any other religious figure, not only died, but rose, having overcome satan so that we might have life eternal with Him.
It is similar in our own lives too. Repentance of our sins is not enough! We must turn our life round and live a new life in Jesus.
I remember that happening with me when I finally, at age 43, truly committed my life to Jesus. I chose to throw away my previous sinful bad habits that led me to desperation and destruction and live a new life for Jesus.
It has been an interesting, but often challenging journey culminating, so far, in the past nearly 4 years of working for Him here in Kenya.
If we are prepared to truly live a new life, it is remarkable how our God will use us - in ways we cannot imagine.
So, how about, this Easter, determining to give our lives fully to Jesus, and see where He will take us. We can all be really surprised as Kathy and I have been and continue to be.
Until next time.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God's people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ's return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord's direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
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Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 2
Webye 50205
Kenya
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "... so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
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