The importance of prayer for Christians?

Why is it so important for Christians to pray?

To answer this question, it is important that we should first examine the Greek word for ‘prayer’ to obtain its full meaning, as Greek is the main language that the New Testament was originally written in and translated from.

The main Greek word used for prayer in the New Testament is ‘proseuche’ (pronounced pros-yoo-kay), which is made up of two words, ‘pros’ and ‘euche’.

Pros is a preposition and means toward or with (being with or close to) and denotes a sense of personal closeness and intimacy between two people.

Euche is a noun and means ‘a prayer of desire or passion, or a vow’.

Bearing this in mind. we now see that when the New Testament writers (under the power of the Holy Spirit) speak of prayer, it means that when we pray it is designed to draw us intimately near to God and enable us to verbally share with him our earnest desires and passions for whatever it is we want to talk to him about.

Prayer, for a born-again Christian, is intimate conversation between believers in Jesus as individuals, and God our creator and Heavenly Father. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit in us that we are enabled to pray in the Father's will fervently and effectively! The Holy Spirit leads us and guides us in all truth!

John 16:13 (NKJV)

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 

James 5:16 (NIV)

 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

One on one prayer to God is designed to help believer to build a close, intimate, and personal relationship with the Father in Christ Jesus. It is talking to God and having a conversation with Him.

As a conversation between two people is a two-way stream, when we pray it is just more important for us to listen to what God has to say to us as well. When you pray, make time to wait upon the Lord and be still so that you can hear His voice in your heart!

Why do we pray?

To build a close relationship with our Father in Christ Jesus

Prayer helps us to strengthen our love relationship with Jesus and thus with God the Father. Let’s have a look at an example of this through one of the apostle Paul’s prayers for the Church in Ephesus:

Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

In verse 14 above we see that the Apostle Paul is praying to the Father in the name of Jesus. From verse 16 his prayer, because the church is God’s family, takes on the essence of true love. He starts to pray that God would strengthen the Ephesian believers in their hearts (the inner man) through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In verses 17 through 19 Paul encourages the Church to cultivate our faith, grounded in Jesus, a deeper and deeper love for Jesus so that we may experience the fullness of God that the world cannot understand. This is how the Church will be unified in the Spirit to move powerfully in the ‘world’ and do even greater things than Jesus did to His glory. Moving in the love of God, the grace of Jesus and in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, the Church will be an undefeatable force in the world and signs and wonders, miracles and healings will follow us as the did with Jesus and the Apostles.

This is certainly the kind of relationship that Paul had with God and we would do well to emulate it! Paul encourages us to, as well!

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT)

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

It helps us to overcome sin and temptation
When we face the trials and temptations of life, we need to press into God more earnestly, move into Him and not withdraw from Him as we often tend to do, and he will strengthen us to overcome all things the ‘devil and his world’ throw at us in Christ Jesus.

Jesus himself is our prime example of this just before he was arrested and crucified:

Luke 22:39-44 (NIV)

39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

And the Apostle John says this:

1 John 5:3-5 (NIV)

3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

It helps us to find out God’s will for our lives and to gain Godly wisdom
It is impossible for any believer to know God’s will for their life unless they are talking to him in prayer. That’s just plain common sense!

But let’s strengthen our common sense with scripture, and no better scripture than this one with Jesus once again as our prime example:

Luke 6:12-13 (NIV)

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he (Jesus) went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

In these verses we see that Jesus has a big decision to make. From the many disciples he had at the time, he needed to decide which of them would be the chosen twelve apostles. To be able to make the right decision Jesus knew he needed to seek the will of God the Father’ so he took himself aside and prayed all night.

Only then, once he knew the will of the Father, was he able to make the decision of which of his disciples he would choose as the twelve apostles – even the one that betrayed him was the will of the Father. A decision that would rock the world of the time!

We, as disciples of Jesus, always need to pray about all things!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

In order for us to make right decisions we need to know the will of the Father and have the wisdom of God to implement our actions and good works in Christ Jesus. We can’t do this unless we are communicating with God in prayer! But in all our prayer we must have faith that it will come to be, don’t doubt, as long as it is in the Father’s will!

James 1:5-8 (AMP)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. 7 For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].

And then – rejoice always!

Prayer helps us to achieve the work God wants us to do
Once we know (through prayer) the works that God wants us to do, we will also need to ask Him in prayer how we can achieve them.

John 14:12-14 (NIV)

12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

An active prayer life is one of the keys to our spiritual awakening
When we lead an active prayer life our spirits are lifted up to be with Jesus in the throne room of God.

When this happens changes not only happen within us but in those around us as well. Prayer brings revival - miracles, signs and wonders occur!

Revelation 8:3-4 (NIV)

3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

The prayers of God’s children in Christ Jesus reach His throne room. They then have a profound effect on what happens on earth under God’s hand, especially now in these end times!

Revelation 8:5 (NIV)

5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

An important part of our spiritual awakening comes to the fore when we start praying for others (called intercessory prayer) as Jesus prays for us. We need to always follow the example Jesus sets for us.

Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

When we intercede for others as Jesus intercedes for us, we help others to live their lives in accordance with the will of the Father and to receive all His promises and benefits. This is how the family of God ought always to be towards each other in their prayer lives, daily!

Prayer is the key weapon in Spiritual Warfare
It is important for every new believer and indeed, every believer to know that because we are God’s children, we automatically become the target for God’s enemy, who is Satan or the devil as he is quite commonly known as.

Satan’s mission on earth is to kill and destroy anything that belongs to God and anything that He created. This is primarily us, His Church and mankind in general.

John 10:10 (NIV)
The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

There is much to be said about Spiritual Warfare that warrants it receiving more attention, but that is a topic for another time.

Did Jesus pray?

In a nutshell – most definitely, YES!

Jesus was constantly in prayer to the Father. We should follow his example.

Luke 5:16 (NIV)

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Matthew 26:39 (NIV)

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

There are at least twenty-five other scriptures in the New testament that tell of Jesus praying. See if you can find others as you read the Bible. Let the Church do the same, let’s be imitators of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and bring glory to His name!

How do you pray?
Jesus gives us the model prayer in Matthew 6:

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.’

Jesus says in verse 9 that when we pray, pray in this order:

Verse 9: This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

Acknowledge that you are praying to the Father in heaven as a child would address its earthy father and recognize that his name is holy and to be revered. The ‘Our’ here indicates that we need to recognize that we are part of a family of God’s children and that as a good Father we should recognize that He loves us all.

Verse 10: your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Make sure that what you are praying for is in accordance with His will and not your will, and ask with the right motive, one that is selfless, so that His kingdom will come on earth.

James 4:3 (AMP)

You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.

Verse 11: Give us today our daily bread.

God is our sole provider. Let your requests for provision be made known to him. You won’t always get what you want, but He will always give you what you need, even the things you didn’t know you needed! And very often you get much more than you ever expected!

Verse 12: And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

When we come before God, we need to have a repentant heart. Examine your heart and repent of any unconfessed sin and even more importantly, forgive those that have sinned against you, cleanse yourself of any ill feeling, anger, jealousy, and grudges that you may be holding against others.

Verse 13: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Temptation in this verse can also be translated from the original Greek as ‘trials’. We will all face trials and temptations in life and we need to ask God daily to give us the strength to overcome them in Christ Jesus and to lead us away from them. In Jesus we are overcomers, and we will be protected from evil.

Just quoting the Lord’s prayer verbatim every day is not really prayer, it will just become a mantra. The Lord’s prayer serves as a way for us to prepare ourselves for prayer, to come into God’s presence through Christ Jesus.

If we live our lives according to the Lord’s prayer, we will find ourselves walking closely with him in the Spirit. Prayer is one of the keys to living the life through the Spirit that the Apostle Paul refers to in Romans 8:1-17. Please read this for yourself, it will change your life dramatically for the better!

Praying for others.

The Apostle Paul encourage us to pray and intercede for others and to pray without ceasing.

1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)

 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—

1 Thessalonians 5:17:18 (NKJV)

17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

When we pray for others, amazing things happen:

1. We participate in God's work. - Ephesians 6:18.
2. We put the needs of others before our own - we learn to be like Jesus! - Philippians 2:3-4.
3. Praying for others emulates Jesus. - Romans 8:26.
4. We share in their burdens. - Galatians 6:2.
5. We join the ministry of reconciliation. - 2 Corinthians 5:18.
6. We learn to trust God. - Psalm 9:10 and many others verses.
7. We are also changed. - James 5:16-18.
8. Praying for others glorifies God. - Psalm 69:30.

Our prayers and petitions we pray in the name of Jesus.

The below verse speaks for itself very clearly.

John 15:16 (NIV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

How do we end a prayer time?

Journalise:

Keep a journal in which you can make a note of your prayers and include in your notes a date the prayer was made, what God said to you if anything and when the prayer was answered.

The answering part might be immediate, or it may take a while to be fulfilled. Be patient and don’t give up – sometimes it may even take years!

When you pray, believe and have faith that it will come to be:

The Bible tells us clearly that when we pray, we must believe that we have received whatever it is we are praying for, and we will receive them.

It also warns us not to hold any unforgiveness in our hearts against anybody. The inference here is that if we do, our prayers could be hindered!

Mark 11:24-25 (NIV)

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Matthew 9:27-30 (NIV)

27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”

Give praise and thanks to God with a grateful heart:
This is probably one of the most important parts of a Christian’s prayer life – giving thanks to the Lord for everything! Especially that he answers our prayers. Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (NIV)

13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:

“He is good;

his love endures forever.”

Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, 14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.

Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven

Teach me your ways, O Lord, and teach me to pray as you pray. I ask that by your Holy Spirit that you would keep my motives pure in all areas of my life and particularly when I am praying. May my life bring glory to your Name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

List of other Bible some verses related to prayer for you to read, study and meditate upon:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 John 5:14; Colossians 4:2; Mark 11:24; Jeremiah 29:12; Romans 12:12; Matthew 6:7; Psalm 145:18; Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 4:16; Matthew 6:6; Psalm 18:6; 1 John 5:15; James 5:16; James 1:6; Acts 16:25; Luke 6:27-28; John 15:16; Acts 1:14; 1 Peter 4:7; John 14:13; James 4:2; 1 Corinthians 13:1

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

 

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!

Unpacking 1 Thessalonians: Chapter 4

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In this chapter Paul gives us, the Church, lessons on how to apply his message practically to our daily lives. Like all his letters, his lessons are specifically designed to encourage and help the believer, both as an individual and corporately as a congregation, to progress to full Christian maturity in our walk with Jesus!

The apostle exhorts and entreats the Thessalonians to make progress in the Christian life, and to practice those commandments which, when he was with them, he gave them by the authority of Jesus Christ. God had called them to holiness and to the letting go of their old selves.

We are warned to be on our guard against all impurity that we were once prone to. We are not to walk according to the dictates of the flesh but according to the will of the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit – this is the only way we can bring glory to Jesus!

Galatians 5:16-24 (ESV)

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Note: In the body on this article the verses from 1 Thessalonians 4 are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

Walk to Please God
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

In verses 1 and 2 Paul starts with the word “finally” which does not mean it is the end of his instruction about how they should live and walk as Christians, it actually means furthermore.

The Greek word for finally is “loipos” (pronounced loy-poy) and its expanded meaning is: the rest or the remaining things they should be doing as well. The additional ‘things’ to what he has already told us that will help us in our walk with Jesus that he explains from verse 3.

Another significant phrase that Paul uses in verse 1 is “you should abound more and more”, the key word here is ‘abound’. It comes from the Greek word “perisseuó” (Pronounced per-is-syoo'-o) and its expanded meaning is to excel in, to overflow with and to exceed expectations in. So, from verse 3 Paul tells the Thessalonian Church and us today, what we need to excel or abound in as born again Christians, true followers of Christ – those that worship God in Spirit and in Truth. You cannot worship could in spirit and in truth if you are not filled with and being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Keep your lamp full and burning brightly!

Paul also tells us in verse 1 that we should strive to keep on improving more and more. This suggests that we should cultivate a daily live style of improvement in Christ Jesus! This is the kind of lifestyle that Paul always teaches because it is a lifestyle that is pleasing to God!

John 4:24 (NKJV)

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 16:13-14 (NKJV)

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

We need to live and conduct ourselves in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Phillipians 1:27 (NKJV)

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

Like the Thessalonians, we too know the commandments we have received from Jesus Christ that come to us through the Bible! If you don’t know God’s Word, then you don’t know God!

Our Sanctification is the Will of God

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual
immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

In verses 3-8 Paul explains to the Thessalonians and to us today the sanctification process that all born again Christians have to go through is the will of God (verse 3).

Now, what is God’s sanctification process?

Well let’s start with what the word sanctification means by examining the Greek word from whence it is translated. The Greek word is ‘hagiasmos’ (pronounced ‘hag-ee-as-mos') and its expanded meaning is: the process of making or becoming holy, to set apart, sanctification, holiness and consecration.

So, because we are in Christ Jesus we are set apart and chosen from the ‘world’ and through being obedient doers of the Word and by being led by the Holy Spirit, we are taken through God’s sanctification process to become holy as He is holy. God sees His Church as a royal priesthood. Because we are in Christ Jesus we are not of the world.

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

John 17:15-18 (ESV)

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

1 Peter 1:16 (ESV)

Since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Right, my dear Readers, from the second half of verse 1 through to the end of verse 7, Paul explains what we should avoid doing and what we should be doing during God’s sanctification work within us. His instructions are clear and explicit and go like this:

• Abstain from sexual immorality – verse 1.

Here the Greek word for ‘sexual immorality’ is ‘porneia’ (pronounced por-ni-ah) from which we get the word pornography. Its expanded meaning speaks of all sorts of sexual perversion such as fornication, adultery, sodomy and whoredom – all these forms of sexual perversions become idolatrous in nature.

• Each of us should know how to possess our own vessel – verse 4.

There are two words we need to fully understand here, and they are ‘possess’ and ‘vessel’.

Let’s take ‘possess’ first. It is translated from the Greek word ‘ktaomai’ (pronounced ktah'-om-ahee). It is a verb and thus a ‘doing’ word so in this context it means that to ‘possess our own vessel’ is something we all, as born again Christians need to be actively doing for ourselves! It’s expanded meaning is to take ownership of and be fully responsible for!

Now, examining the word ‘vessel’ from the Greek text it is translated from the word ‘skeuos’ (pronounced skyoo’-os) and its expanded meaning is: a vessel to contain liquid; a vessel of mercy or wrath; any instrument by which anything is done.

So, from this I believe we can safely say that by using the word ‘vessel’ here, Paul is referring to our physical bodies. A born again Christian’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and we (our bodies) are thus, as followers of Jesus, filled with and are to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. In this way the Bible tells us, that from us will flow rivers of living water that will be a blessing to others and bring glory to Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Ephesians 5:18 (AMP)

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

John 7:37-39 (NKJV)

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

John 16:12-15 (NKJV)

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

• In order to protect our vessel (body) in sanctification we are not to live in the lust of worldly passion – verse 5. We are to live life in the Spirit and not in the flesh.

Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV)

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

• In the matter of sexual conduct, we are not to take advantage of or defraud our brothers and sisters in Christ – verse 6.

Here let’s examine the phrase ‘to take advantage of’ and the word ‘defraud’ to get the full meaning of what Paul is telling the Thessalonians and the Church today.

The phrase is translated from the Greek word ‘huperbainó’ (pronounced hoop-er-bah'-ee-no) and its expanded meaning is: to step over, transgress against, to go beyond, overreach and to defraud someone.

Now in the same manner let’s examine the word ‘defraud’. Defraud is translated from the Greek word pleonekteó (pronounced pleh-on-ek-teh'-o) and its expanded meaning is: to have more, to overreach and take advantage of someone. This is much the same meaning as ‘to take advantage of’ but is stronger in the sense that it is a lusting after the things that are wrongful and contrary to the Word of God, especially in the area of sexual lust.

So, in our sexual conduct towards one another we are not to infringe the instructions the Bible teaches us about this in any way. If we do, we are told that God Himself is the avenger of all such infringements. His judgement will be harsh and uncompromising but just!

Deuteronomy 32:4 (NKJV)

He is the Rock, His work is perfect;

For all His ways are justice,

A God of truth and without injustice;

Righteous and upright is He.

• God did not call us to be unclean but to be holy as He is holy as it is written in 1 Peter 1:16 – verse 7.

• If we reject God’s sanctification process, we reject God Himself and we become an enemy of God – verse 8.

James 4:4 (NKJV)

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Living a peaceful and orderly life
9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

In verses 9-12 Paul urges the Church to live lives that are filled with brotherly love towards each other and to live lives that are peaceful and productive so that we will be a good example and testimony to the unsaved in our communities.

John 13:34-35 (NKJV)

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NKJV)

12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.

In verses 9 and 10 Paul commends the Thessalonians for showing such great brotherly love not only towards each other in Thessalonica but also to all their brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the region of Macedonia. He also urges them to show brotherly love to all their fellow Christians more and more – their love for each other should grow more and more with each day that passes!

God commands us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ if we claim to love Him!

1 John 4:20-21 (NKJC)

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. As God will bless us with everything we need!

In verses 11 and 12 Paul urges us to make it our God-given duty to live quietly and peacefully, to take care of our own affairs and to work diligently in the jobs that God has provided for us.

If we do this God gives us a promise in verse 12 that if we live like this, we be a living testimony of Christ in us to an ungodly world and we will lack for nothing!

Philippians 4:19 (AMP)

And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

In verses 13-18 Paul stresses and area of Christian life that he doesn’t want the Thessalonians and indeed the Church throughout the ages including us today to be ignorant about. Paul’s concern was focused on “those who have fallen asleep”.

The reason why Paul was concerned about this is because he doesn’t want us to see the death of a brother and sister in Christ as something to be as sorrowful about as those who are without hope – those that are unsaved. For a Christian, death has no sting it is something we can have hope and joy in because we have Jesus! The death of a Christian’s body is the beginning of a new and wonderful spiritual life where there is no more tears and fears or sorrows of the world. Death for the born again Christian is victory in Christ Jesus!

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 (NKJV)

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

In verse 16 Paul encourages us by explaining that just as Jesus has risen from the dead so the dead in Christ will rise too and they will be with Him when He returns.

Romans 8:11 (NKJV)

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

And in verse 17 we have further encouragement as he tells us that those of us in Christ that have not yet fallen asleep will be caught up in the air to meet Him together with those that have fallen asleep!

In verse 18 Paul simply says that we must be comforted by these words!

Life application for today’s believers

• Let your love for each other grow more and more each day

• Let your Christian Walk be pleasing to God by following His commands in His Word!

• Let the sanctification work of the Holy Spirit by ever in your heart and mind and abstain from all sin.

• Be holy because God is holy.

• Let your love for your brothers and sisters in Christ grow more and more each day.

• As far as you are able, lead a quiet and peaceful life in Christ Jesus.

• Let your Christian lifestyle be a testimony to the unsaved.

• Remember always that in Christ Jesus you have the victory over all things, even death!

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
In the name of Jesus I thank you that through Christ Jesus you have given me victory over death and that by your Holy Spirit I will be resurrected just as Christ was resurrected. I thank you that through your great love that my future heavenly hope in Him of everlasting life is my hope and joy! Thank you that I need not be afraid and that I can receive your great comfort because I know Jesus! Thank you, Lord, that in Christ Jesus I have the victory over the things of the world! Amen

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!

Unpacking 1 Thessalonians: Chapter 3

In this chapter Paul shows his concern about not being able to return to the Thessalonian Church in person to help and encourage them in their time of affliction and persecution. Although Paul could not go himself, he did the next best thing which was to send his trusted companion and fellow missionary Timothy.

The reason Paul could not go himself was that he had his hands full in Athens where he was ministering to the Jews in the Athenian synagogue and also to the gentile worshippers that were there, and on top of this he was contending with the Greek philosophers who gathered regularly at the Areopagus, which was a “rocky outcrop” meeting place for the Areopagus, a group of men who were named after the rock itself. 

The Areopagus was the earliest aristocratic council of ancient Athens. In pre-classical times, the Areopagus was the council of elders of the city of Athens, like the Roman Senate. Its membership was restricted to those who held high public office. You can read about all this in Acts 17:16-34.

Note: in the body on this article the verses from 1 Thessalonians 3 are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

Paul sends Timothy  

1Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

In verses 1-5 we see the depth of Paul’s love and concern for the Thessalonian Church. He uses the phrase “when we could no longer endure it” which would indicate that his concern for them was always on his mind! And when he could stand it no longer, he decides to make a personal sacrifice by sending Timothy to them even though he still needed Timothy’s help in Athens!

Paul so desperately wanted to bring encouragement to the Thessalonians to strengthen them in their faith and to help them to overcome the afflictions, persecution and trials that they were going through.

Shouldn’t this still be the aim of today’s believer and today’s Church? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! It should still be our aim and purpose to strengthen and build each other up!

Paul’s action here is a glowing example of putting others needs before our own. This is something that we, today’s believers, need to be putting into action in our lives daily. Let’s make every effort to put the needs of our brothers and sisters before our own and imitate Paul as he imitated Christ!

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV)

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Philippians 2:3-5 (AMP)

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. 4 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],

Romans 15:1-2 (AMP)

Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves. 2 Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually.

Hebrews 13:16 (AMP)

Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of the church as an expression of fellowship], for such sacrifices are always pleasing to God.

We find In verse 4 Paul’s stark reminder that we, all born again Christians, will go through times of struggle and affliction, and these are not times to pull away from Jesus and fellowship with others, but rather it is time for us to draw closer, to humble ourselves before God so that He can lift us up!

John 16:33 (NKJV)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

James 4:10 (NKJV)

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Verse 5 is a reminder that we, the Church, need to look out for each other, encourage each and help each other in times of trouble so that none of us fall into the clutches of Satan and none of us allow our faith in Christ Jesus to crumble in the face of adversity! Especially in these end times!

Galatians 6:2 (AMP)

Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].

Encouraged by Timothy's Report back
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

When Timothy returned from his visit to the Thessalonians, he brought Paul good news. The Thessalonians were doing well in their faith in Christ Jesus and in their love for Him and each other. Paul’s letter to them served to not only tell them how pleasing this was to him but also to encourage them further.

As followers of Jesus, dear readers, we need to always actively encourage each other in word and deed building each other up in our faith at all times and especially in these last days!

Romans 14:19 (NKJV)

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Hebrews 3:13-14 (AMP)

13 But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication]. 14 For we [believers] have become partakers of Christ [sharing in all that the Messiah has for us], if only we hold firm our newborn confidence [which originally led us to Him] until the end,

This is a reminder to today’s Church whether pastor, elder or ordinary congregant that this is the kind of relationship which ought to exist amongst between us as part of our daily Christian Walk. When things are not going well with us, we are to count ourselves blessed and be grateful in the knowledge of our salvation and the love we have in Christ Jesus, even though in other respects we are surrounded by and probably going through much distress and affliction.

In verses 7-9 Paul lets the Thessalonians know that he and Silvanus were overjoyed with the good news that Timothy had brought them that they were standing strong in the faith which has stirred them (Paul, Silvanus and Timothy) up to pray even more for them and giving thanks to God for them and rejoicing at their steadfastness.

Church, let us be the same, showing joy and thanksgiving for each other and helping each other, through encouragement to grow stronger and stronger in our faith in Christ Jesus especially during times of trial and tribulation!

And as Paul says in verse 10 let’s pray for each other more and more in these last days and help each other’s faith to grow stronger and stronger day by day!

Paul’s Prayer for the Church
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Paul, in verses 11-13, ends this chapter by praying for the Thessalonians. In verse 11 of his prayer, he continues to show his desire to return to Thessalonica when he asks both the Father and the Son to make a way for them to return.

In verse 12 Paul asks the Lord to make the Thessalonian Church’s love for one another increase and abound so that He (Jesus) may establish their hearts as blameless in holiness in the eyes of the Father, in preparation for when the Lord returns. He was looking to the future as well so that the Church will be blameless before God when we stand before Him to give an account of ourselves!

Romans 14:12 (NKJV)

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Paul’s prayer leaves us, the Church today, with a great example of how we should be praying for each other so that we can be blameless in holiness in our hearts and in Christ Jesus when we stand before God to give an account of ourselves. We are charged to help each other in our Christian Walk.

Life application for today’s believers

We should:

1. Have God’s love and concern for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

2. Put the needs of others before our own.

3. Be building each other up through encouragement and edification.

4. Be doers of the Word and imitators of Christ.

5. Be drawing closer to God in the bad times.

6. Be serving God and each other in submission and humility.

7. Be giving thanks to God for each other always.

8. Be seeking peace and not strife.

9. Be praying continually for each other.

10. Always give glory to Jesus.

Prayer
Dear Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would continually help me to put the needs of others before my own and to humbly serve the congregation you have placed me. Help me. Lord, to be an encourager and to help build others up in their most holy faith in Christ Jesus. Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and lead and guide me in all truth. Help me Lord to fulfil the Father’s will for my life that I may glorify the name of Jesus! Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!

Let's Go Fishing!

This article was written by my good friend and brother in Christ, Tony Kettle, and is published with his permission on my blog site as a guest writer.

Matthew 4:19 (ESV – emphasis added by author)

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of MEN.”

Luke 5:10 (ESV – emphasis added by author)

…….from now on you will be catching MEN.

When Jesus carried out His earthly teaching ministry, He often used parables and other illustrations which had a significant bearing on day-to-day life. He spoke to farmers, shepherds, fishermen and people from other walks of life – all the while making reference to various aspects of their specific occupations as a vehicle, or platform, for conveying spiritual truth. However, most of His audience did not have a clue what He was talking about – they missed the point of His teachings – they missed the deep, spiritual significance of His words. In fact, Jesus had to explain to the disciples in private the meaning behind His teachings.

Let us consider the deeper meaning of the scriptures reproduced above. Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men”, “from now on you will be catching men.” When He spoke these words, He was addressing men who were engaged in commercial fishing and there are a number of processes involved in the commercial fishing industry which have great impact when seen in a spiritual light. Unfortunately, space constraints prevent me from dealing with these processes in detail for purposes of this article – but, briefly, they include catching, de-scaling, gutting, cleaning and washing, salting, and other preparation procedures.

When Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men”, “from now on you will be catching men”, He was not telling Peter and his partners that they would stop fishing – no, He meant that they would carry on fishing (including all the processes inherent in commercial fishing) – but with a new kind of ‘catch’ in mind – men. Of course, we understand that, from a New Testament perspective, the ‘catch’ includes men and women.

Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Commercial fishermen are a hardy breed! Their work is dangerous and they often have to face severe storms and the risk of their ship being submerged – being flooded – by pounding, treacherous waves while on a fishing trip. However, they face the dangers without flinching, in order to ensure that the catch is brought home.

God’s “fishers of men” must have the same steadfastness when facing the ‘storms of life’

Matthew 7:24-24 (ESV)

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

and Satan’s “flood” of accusations

Revelation 12:10 and 15 (ESV)

10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.

They need to ‘set their faces like a flint’ so that they can help to usher, into God’s Kingdom, people caught in the “net” of the Gospel.

Isaiah 50:7 (ESV)

But the Lord God helps me;

therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face like a flint,

and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

Luke 5:5-7 (ESV)

5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

By acting on the Word of Jesus the fishermen were rewarded. If we persevere in carrying out the Great Commission, by continuing to act on the Word of God – by being “doers” of the Word, we will see results and growth in the numbers of people coming to our Lord Jesus Christ.

James 1:22-25 (NKJV)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Take note that the scripture in Luke 5:7 above does NOT read,

“And they said to their partners, which were in the other boat, keep your greasy fingers off our catch – they are our fish!”

OR

“And they said to their partners, which were in the other ministry – the other fellowship – keep away from the ‘catch’ – they are our converts. We can’t have you involved – you don’t preach prosperity – you don’t pray in tongues! You will contaminate the ‘catch!’

No, they “signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them.” A ship - a boat - is a biblical ‘type’ of church fellowship’, ‘floating’ in the ‘sea’ of the world like Noah’s Ark.

Genesis 6:17-18 (ESV)

17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.

Revelation 17:15 (ESV)

And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.

In the same way that a ship carries and supports the fishermen who catch fish, as well as the crew - those involved in preparing the catch, so a fellowship carries and supports evangelists, teachers and crew - members of the ministry of helps.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (ESV)

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

As believers, we are in the ‘sea’ of the world primarily to work, and our chief occupation is to ‘catch’ “fish” of a particular ‘variety’.

Matthew 4:19 (ESV)

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Luke 5:10 (ESV)

and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

However, we also need to be involved in the follow-up work of ‘de-scaling’ and ‘gutting’ the “fish”

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

‘Cleaning and washing’ them as Christ cleans and sanctifies His Church.

Ephesians 5:26-27 (ESV)

26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish

‘salting’ them.

Matthew 5:13 (ESV)

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

and generally, ‘preparing’ them.

Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV)

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

So that they can be given (in a ministry sense) to a ‘starving’ world ‘hungry’ for spiritual ‘food’.

John 3:16-17 (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 6:35 (ESV)

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Jeremiah 15:16 (ESV)

Your words were found, and I ate them,

and your words became to me a joy

and the delight of my heart,

for I am called by your name,

O Lord, God of hosts.

There is a vital point which must not be overlooked, viz; that in order for the “fish” to become ‘edible’ (again in a ministry sense), they must first be ‘cooked’ in God's ‘oven’, His ‘refiner’.

Malachi 3:2-3 (ESV)

2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

1 Peter 4:12-19 (ESV)

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Furthermore, BEFORE we can be effectively used in this range of work, we have to go through the same processes as the “fish” we subsequently ‘catch’.

A company which is involved in commercial fishing is ONE business entity – but it has a fishing fleet comprising a number of fishing vessels. Each vessel has its own distinctive name. The individual vessels comprising the whole fleet are identified by this unique name but, on the other hand, they do not work in conflict with each other. They operate as a team in order to achieve the goal, the objective, of the company, which is to catch enough fish to make a profit and provide food to people. If the fleet spent their time fighting with each other, each vessel trying to prevent the others from operating, there would be no time to catch fish, the company would suffer and the world would be denied food.

There is ONE body of Christ – the Church – reflected locally, nationally and internationally, comprising a number of groups (1 Corinthians 12:5-6, 12). Each one has its own distinctive name, but they (should) operate as a team in order to achieve world evangelisation.

1 Corinthians 12:5-6, 12 (ESV)

5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

When different church groups compete fiercely with each other, when they try to discredit each other, the work of the ministry is hindered. The body of Christ suffers because the world of unbelievers ridicules its lack of unity, Jesus is mocked, the world is denied the power of God which should be reflected in Christian unity (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 3:1-9) and the impact of the Gospel message – spiritual ‘food’ – is weakened.

John 13:34-35 (ESV)

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 (ESV)

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (ESV)

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.

A desire of my heart is for every Christian fellowship in this town, in this country, in the world to turn to their “partners in the other boat” and say to them, “come and help us, the net is breaking” – and for those other “partners” – those other groups – to lay aside pride and doctrinal barriers and respond positively. Remember, Luke 5:6 shows that the net broke through the weight of the fish and if the other “partners” had not helped, the fish would have been lost.

“And they came and filled both the boats, SO THAT THEY BEGAN TO SINK.”

Really, two ships were not enough to support the catch – they needed a third, maybe even a fourth, to do it effectively.

No single church fellowship can evangelise a town or country on its own. It needs to be a team effort. If a fellowship allows pride to dominate it and tries to ‘go it alone’, sooner or later the “net” is going to “break” and they will lose “fish” – or, there will be a glut of “fish” that they are not able to handle and the fellowship will “sink!”

Consider another point. If the skipper of a fishing vessel tries to catch fish on his own, he will not be able to handle the net if it is full and it will end up breaking anyway. Alternatively, if that skipper, alone, tries to clean and prepare the fish after they are caught, he will become worn out because of the lengthy time taken in these processes and end up being totally ineffective as a skipper. Either the skipper does not trust the crew to carry out their duties, or he is trying to impress the Board of Directors. In the meantime, the fish could become rotten and chaos is likely to ensue on the ship as there is nobody to run it properly. Eventually, the crew will become bored and seek to be transferred to another vessel – or they will start a mutiny!

We might be tempted to regard this scenario as ludicrous but when viewed in a spiritual light, it comes close to the situation I have seen in various church fellowships over the years. Hopefully, it teaches a valuable lesson - which is that no single member of Church leadership can effectively carry all ministerial duties and responsibilities. Again, it needs to be a team effort involving leadership and all able members of a congregation.

To this end, Church leaders need to actively encourage and help members of a congregation to discover and operate in the spiritual/ministry gift to which they have been called (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-31; Ephesians 4:11-16). As I have pointed out before, there is no room for inertia or laziness in the Church. We are NOT meant to be static and have a ‘parking’ mentality!

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 28-31 (ESV)

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV)

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Another important point, we have been using the commercial fishing industry as a platform for expressing spiritual truth – but it needs to be made clear that the work of proclaiming the Gospel is not meant to be a commercial undertaking for selfish financial gain.

1 Timothy 6:5 (ESV)

and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Jesus said, “…freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8 KJV). Let me also make it clear that I am not referring to genuine kingdom enterprises which generate finances for the work and benefit of God's kingdom here on earth.

When I lived in Zimbabwe, there was a flourishing kapenta (sardine) industry on Lake Kariba, and the most effective technique for catching them was to go out on the lake at night with a bright lamp. The fish were attracted to the light, and this facilitated the job of catching them!

The Bible shows that the ‘sea’ of the world is in “darkness”.

Isaiah 60:2 (ESV)

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,

and thick darkness the peoples;

but the Lord will arise upon you,

and his glory will be seen upon you.

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore, we need to “shine” the “Light” of the Glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the “darkness” in order to ‘catch’ the “fish”.(Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:15; 1 Timothy 1:11).

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[b] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Philippians 2:15 (ESV)

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

1 Timothy 1:11 (ESV)

 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Prayer

Dear Father

In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to ever keep my eyes on Jesus and to be a good example in Christian lifestyle to my brothers and sisters in Christ and help me to be a good and faithful servant within my local congregation and to become an effective fisher of men in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of Jesus! Amen!

Jeremiah‬ ‭16‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV

““Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says the Lord...”

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!