TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM (continued)

Very early on, the challenges of growth brought about practical problems leading to a 'division of labour' within the running of the church.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:1-4)

As we progress through the New Testament we start to see conflict arising between people and, in a very human way, people trying to gain influence over others. Paul liked to preach and teach about Jesus, but you get the feeling that he experienced frustration as he increasingly had to spend more and more time sorting out differences between people, dealing with both heresies and behavioral problems that quickly crept into the fledging churches.

By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. (2 Corinthians 10:1-2)

As mentioned earlier, writing was Paul's real strength. He was not an attractive person, nor a great orator, qualities we all too often look to in leadership today - and no doubt, then also. We still fall for the 'King Saul syndrome', that has been a failure from the earliest of times! Paul was not a great leader in a worldly sense yet his influence through writing Scripture has seen (God through) him have more influence on history than almost any other, except Jesus Himself, before or since. His words have been read and contemplated by millions and now billions over the past 2000 odd years. Amazing!

He was humble;

9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (1 Corinthians 15:9)

yet was sure in, and worked tirelessly at, His calling.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. (1 Corinthians 15:10-11)

For Paul, Jesus was everything and he was nothing.

He ultimately gave his life in the natural too, as he had done in the spiritual, being executed in Rome around 67AD.

(To be continued next week.)

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FROM THE WORD

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
"Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed." (1 Corinthians 15:1- 11)

THE CHOOSING OF THE SEVEN
"In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:1-7)

PAUL'S DEFENCE OF HIS MINISTRY
"By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present. We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man’s territory. But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." (2 Corinthians 10:1-18)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

RELIGION, REVELATION AND GOD'S KINGDOM

1047. So often the church attempts to compete with God's kingdom rather than promoting it.

1048. God's vision is our mission.

1049. Religion is the eager repository of yesterday's revelation.

1050. Revelation is eternal truth meeting today's circumstances.

1051. Revelation is from God's heart, religion, a product of the heart of man.

1052. Today's revelation becomes tomorrow's religion.

1053. One dose of God is worth more than a billion of religion!

1054. When mankind cannot accept God's revelation, they adapt it to become religion.

1055. The cost of God's kingdom is obedience, religion's, money. Most of us take the easy option!

1056. Religion goes as God's kingdom grows.

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CRANWELL'S CARTOON

32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32)







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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

NEXT WEEK BEYOND THE VEIL – 1 continues

REVELATION FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES OF ATONEMENT

B. ATONEMENT PRINCIPLES ‘POSITIONALLY’ FULFILLED BY JESUS
(To be Experientially fulfilled, that is Embraced, by the Church)

Continuing our study with the next 3 exciting, but challenging, truths we are to embrace as the church before Jesus returns.

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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." ***

678. AMERICANS IN ROME
In The Times of London on 9 November, 2004, an interview of the head of the Italian tour guides' trade union reported that the following questions are frequently asked by American tourists in Rome.

??? Did Moses pose for Michelangelo?
??? Does the Colosseum [sic] have a chunk missing by design?
??? Where is the Sixteen Chapel?
??? Where are the other fifteen?

And the topper:

??? Where is Jesus buried?

According to the tour guide, "They look incredulous when we tell them that Jesus never came to Rome at all.

677. POLITICAL FAITH
Politicians have a constant need to be diplomatic. Witness this candidate for the Senate who travelled to a small town community to address the single church there. Unfortunately, he had forgotten to ask which denomination so that when it was time for his speech, he
inquired in this way:

My brethren, all. I must tell you that my great Grandfather was Presbyterian (absolute silence); but my Grandmother was an Episcopalian (more silence); I must tell you that my other Grandfather was a Catholic (deep silence); while my other Grandmother was Methodist (continued silence).

But I must tell you that I had an aunt who was a Baptist. The astute political paused for a moment as the room erupted into loud cheers. Then he concluded, "___ and I have always considered my aunt's path to be the right one!"

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What was the first toy ever advertised on
television?

ANSWER: Mr. Potato Head was the first toy advertised on television.
Now, of course, kids are inundated with ads and have to have the ‘hot’
toy of the moment right away! Mr. Potato Head, by the way, was originally
sold (in 1952) without the plastic potato body. The whimsical accessory
parts, like the nose and eyes, were to be inserted into a REAL potato.
Eventually, that was considered too dangerous, as the parts had to be
sharp to pierce a real potato (And, of course, real potatoes rot.)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How does a frog cope with freezing
temperatures?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

594. MEMORIES, MEMORIES
According to research by taste and smell expert Dr. Alan Hirsch, the odour of baking bread, cookies, or cakes triggers the most childhood memories. (Smelt good – tasted even better!)

595. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
Acid won't destroy a diamond. (But people destroy the earth to get at them!)

596. INHERITANCE LOST
The last descendant of the prolific musical Bach family died on Christmas Day, 1845. (Wonder whose music was played at the funeral?)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

WASTES

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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BIBLE QUESTION - JUDGES (You be the judge!)

12) How many men did God choose to help Gideon?

A - 10,000
B - 3,000
C - 1,000
D - 300

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""

!!!!!!! A lot of church members who are singing ‘Standing On The Promises’ are just sitting on the premises. (Sr. Monique Rysavy)

!!!!!! We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers. (Donna Maddux)

!!!!! Every evening I turn my troubles over to God. He’s going to be up all night anyway. (Donald J. Morgan)

!!!! If a Saviour leaves you as you are and where you are, from what has he saved you? (Rev. Denny Brake)

!!! Young man, the secret of my success is that at an early age I discovered I was not God. (Oliver Wendell Holmes Jnr.)

!! To err is human; to blame it on someone else is even more human. (John Nadeau)

! Some minds are like concrete; thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. (Rev. Denny Brake)

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LIFE'S A LAUGH

68. MISTEAK OR CHICKEN!
On a flight home after a business trip, Bill was waiting for his meal. By the time the attendant reached his seat, only one dinner remained on her cart. Nonetheless, she followed routine by asking, Steak or chicken?"

Bill stared at the dinner for some time before responding, "Okay, I give up. Which is it?"

69. TOGETHERNESS
My Parents had not been out together in quite some time.

One Saturday, as Mom was finishing the dinner dishes, my father stepped up behind her. "Would you like to go out, girl?" he asked.

Not even turning around, my mother quickly replied, "Oh, yes, I'd love to!"

They had a wonderful evening, and it wasn't until the end of the evening that Dad finally confessed that his question had actually been directed to the family dog, laying near Mom's feet on the kitchen floor.

70. ASSUMPTIONS
A few years ago, I decided to visit my brother who was stationed in Germany. I assumed that most Germans would speak English. But I found that many people spoke only their native tongue - including the ticket inspector on the train.

He punched my ticket, then chatted cordially for a bit, making gestures like a windmill. I simply nodded from time to time to show him that I was interested.

When he had gone, an American woman soldier in the compartment leaned forward and asked if I spoke German.

"No," I confessed.

"Then that explains," she said, "why you didn't bat an eyelid when he told you that you were on the wrong train."

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BIBLE TRIVIA

PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON

The younger son ate husks that the swine ate (Luke 15:16) after squandering his inheritance. These husks came from the pods of the carob tree, commonly called the locust, and were fed to farm animals.

Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys

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COLOMBIA'S CONFLICT INCREASES EVANGELISM WITH NEW GOSPEL TRANSLATIONS

Colombia (MNN) ¯ The internal conflict in Colombia has the U.N. naming it one of the most violent countries in the world. Each year, 30,000 people die as a result of the violence, and there are four million internally displaced people.

That's where Book of Hope comes in. Half of those 4 million IDPs are youth. Richard Luna says the challenge here is great. "Because the challenge is great, if you will, anytime there is a deep, deep cross, the power, the sovereign, the resurrection becomes that much more impacting."

As Book of Hope aims to reach every child, they realize that also naturally means reaching every tribe. There are 79 tribal groups in Colombia.

Native missionaries have begun translating the first eight tribal languages for the GodMan and the narrated Book of Hope. "We're now in the third wing of missionaries, and that is tribal missionaries mobilized to reach their own people. So we're learning now that we're reaching through the tribal groups themselves, and the indigenous leaders themselves. They are the translators, they are the linguists, they are the distributors," said Luna.

Luna says this project is especially significant because "it's the first time ever that four of these groups will have an engagement with Scripture. It's the first Scripture portion they will read. So for us, it's great that the God of big numbers--you know 10 million, one million--is also the God of each child and the God of each tribe."

Luna said they are grateful for these indigenous workers. "Children are being reached," he said.

Read On: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=19512&PN=1&TPN=1

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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

'TABERNEAGLE' THOUGHTS FROM.....

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WAXING LYRICAL

Back to the family! Mine wasn’t – and isn’t – perfect. But perhaps it is a lot better
than it seems when we are young! The frequent Father/Son conundrum!

GOD IS GOOD!

My Dad was a highly successful man
A Knight of the Realm was he.
His hand would be raised, "Yes, I can"
While others preferred to flee.

Loved three short words, which got on my goat!
‘God is good’ he would always say.
For a job well done - even when sick on a boat!
These three little words came into play.

Most of his life was filled with success,
As Mayor of Napier the city grew strong.
Excelled in his dealings with the press,
‘God is good’, forever his theme song.

Now I found these words so very frustrating,
Why ‘God is good’? –’Twas Dad who was reliable!
Like a scratched record, the words were grating,
For my heart, back then, was not set on the Bible.

For I had seen my Dad succeed,
He worked hard, his job to fit,
A brain and work was all you need,
‘God is good’ - not a factor in it.

(Continued next week.)

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A DAVID MUSING

If you were expecting a sage and wise New Year message, you are not going to get one!

To be honest, Kathy and I have been so busy with work, both nursing and shop, that the festive season is passing in a blur!

Had a really nice time with family for 2 days over Christmas (those that are in New Zealand), but the rest of the time has been 'normal' - or as normal as life is!

We do look forward to 2008 with excitement as we hope to see some of our plans to help Africa start to bear fruit.

We also trust that you too will be looking forward with anticipation to the new year, not for what you can achieve but what the Lord will do through you.

May Jesus truly be first in your life and mine this year.

Until next week...

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SWEATS

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION': 300 (Judges 7:7)

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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
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
290 Flaxmere Avenue
Flaxmere
Hastings
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 8799 911 International (+64) 6 8799 911
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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