27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
Luke 20 41-47 Christ, the Son of David 12 Luke 20 45-47 Genuineness in our ministry
📖 Luke 20:41-47
20Apr2021 - *Genuineness in our ministry* - _Luke 20:41-47_ - CHRIST, THE SON OF DAVID (12) – Bible reading: _I Peter 5:2-3_
God wants us to be genuine in fulfilling the task that has been given to us as priests and kings in the lineage of David. We should not fall into the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. If we do so, we will receive greater condemnation.
_Luke 20:45-47 Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, (46) “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, (47) who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. *These will receive greater condemnation*."_
We see how Apostle Paul and the team, executed the task that was entrusted to them and did not fall into the trap of the leaven of the Pharisees. We are garnering lessons and applying these lessons into our lives, as priests and kings for our God.
_I Thessalonians 2:5 For *neither at any time did we use flattering words*, as you know, *nor a cloak for covetousness*—God is witness._
There are two issues that Paul is bringing up here in this verse on how the ministry has to be genuine and not hypocritical and pretentious. The first is about *the words that we use in ministry* and the other is about *covetousness in our hearts*.
People can immediately make out when our words are hypocritical and superficial and not genuine and true. Our words can be empty with no substance in them.
_Psalm 12:2-3 They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. (3) May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things,_
We must be aware that for every idle word that we speak, we will have to give an account before God. By our words, we will be justified and by our words, we will be condemned, for our words are an expression of who we are, internally.
When we speak idle words without any substance in them, it reveals that internally, we are a person of no worth and of no contribution to the lives of others.
_Matthew 12:36-37 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. (37) For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."_
We, therefore, need to surrender our lips and our words to God. _Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one._
Our words need to be with God’s grace, which is God’s enablement and God’s empowerment. Let not our words be from our flesh but from the enablement of the Holy Spirit for He is the Spirit of God’s grace.
Our speech needs to be seasoned with salt, which implies that we must correct and bring healing into the lives of people, for salt burns but also heals.
Ministry also needs to be done without any hidden agenda of personal benefit in any way. God sees our heart. We cannot hide from God. We can pretend to be genuine in our ministry, but before God, He can see that we are seeking personal advantage.
Apostle Paul speaking to the believers of Ephesus tells them that he had no hidden agenda in his ministry with them. _Acts 20:33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel._
Our life truly needs to be that of the Shepherd, who is only concerned for the good of the people and not for personal profit or privileges.
_I Peter 5:2-3 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, *not for dishonest gain* but eagerly; (3) nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;_
This matter of coveting for material benefits is a dangerous problem and cannot be treated lightly or glossed over.
_I Timothy 6:10 For the *love of money is a root of all kinds of evil*, for which some *have strayed from the faith* in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows._
Money will claim our trust. Money tells us, “Trust me. I am your provider”. When we desire material benefits, in our hearts, we will wander away from God.
This is the leaven of the Pharisees and we must ensure that we do not fall into this problem but fulfil the task of being priests and kings in the lineage of David, before God.
*Thought to ponder*
```God is searching for loyal priests and kings.```