30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
01 Acts 06 01-07 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL AS THE CHURCH LEARNS TO SERVE 09 Acts 06 04 Give attention to God’s word
📖 Acts 06:01-07
09 – 20Jul2023 – *Give attention to God’s word* - _Acts 06:01-07_ - THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL AS THE CHURCH LEARNS TO SERVE - Bible reading: _I Timothy 04:13-16_
“Lord Jesus, teach us to grow in the reading, learning and application of Your word in our lives. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
_Acts 6:4 but *we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word*."_
The second focus area for the apostles was the ministry of God’s word. God’s word is truth. Jesus is manifested in His word. He is the truth. We are here to be the fullness of Christ. _Ephesians 4:13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, *to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ*;_
They had to constantly grow into the fullness of Christ and they had to ensure that the church was growing into the fullness of Christ. Therefore, they had to give themselves to the ministry of the Word. _Colossians 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus._ / _Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,_
The process of the work of God’s word in our lives is the work of sanctification. _John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth._
The word of God comes to us through His Spirit. _John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. *The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life*._
This work of sanctification in us of His word is by the enablement of His Holy Spirit. He, the Holy Spirit, guides and empowers us to live out the truth of His word. _John 16:13 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._ / _Romans 8:4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit._
The word of God discerns our innermost person and brings correction and healing. _Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (13) And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account._
*For the Apostles to minister God’s word, they should be those who live out God’s word and then teach the word to His church.* This is yet another irreversible sequence. This sequence is the model of our Lord. _Acts 1:1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that *Jesus began both to do and teach*,_
The apostles needed to give time to the ministry of His word for they needed to rightly divide the word of truth. _II Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, *rightly dividing the word of truth*._
As teachers of the word to His church, there is a great responsibility placed on us to give the right doctrine. For there is the danger of error creeping into His church. _I Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit._
We must be warned that as teachers of the word, we will be more strictly judged. _James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment._
The instruction that the apostles would give to His church must result in fruit-bearing or good works in the lives of God’s people. _II Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, *thoroughly equipped for every good work*._
As His church, we are to always abound in good works that come from the teaching, learning and application of God’s word in our lives. _I Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, *always abounding in the work of the Lord*, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord._
Paul was encouraging Timothy to fully live out God’s word. He had to give attention to the reading, exhortation, and doctrine. _I Timothy 4:13-16 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (14) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. (15) Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. (16) Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you._
```As His church let us prioritise God’s word in our lives.```