8 | The Ministry of the Word

Slides:

Theme: The ministry of the Word (in every way) is the revelation, and application, of the glory of God. 

“The devil’s next attack was clever… Having failed to overcome the church by either persecution or corruption, he now tried distraction and division. If he could preoccupy the apostles with social administration, which though essential was not their calling, they would neglect their God-given responsibilities to pray and to preach, and so leave the church without any defence against false doctrine.” John Stott

Acts 8:1 

…And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

The question is how do we respond to these ‘complaints’?

- Do we look to ourselves, or do we look to Christ?

Miracle 1:

They were able to trust the Lord and His apostles. 

Miracle 2:

The Apostles humbly bring structure to the church by sharing responsibility in ministry. 

Miracle 3:

The Word continued to increase, disciples multiplied, and a great many priests came to faith. 

John 5:39-40 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

What is the ministry of the Word? To reveal and apply the GLORY of God.

- John 1:  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

- Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

Philippians 3:4-6 

“although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

Galatians 1:14 

I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers”

Stephen had a five-fold fullness:

-Wisdom

-Faith

-Grace

-Power

-The Holy Spirit (x4)

Acts 7:55 

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God…

Applications:

-Come to the Word seeking Christ.

Applications:

-Come to the Word seeking Christ.

-A right ministry of the Word (revelation and application of God’s glory) will bear fruit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 

But we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, this is from the Lord, the Spirit.

Applications:

-Come to the Word seeking Christ.    

-A right ministry of the Word will bear fruit.

-Talk about the Word as a means of grace!    

This is how God has designed the Scriptures to work for human transformation and for the glory of God: the Scriptures reveal God’s glory. This glory, God willing, is seen by those who read the Bible. This seeing gives rise, by God’s grace, to savoring God above all things—treasuring him, hoping in him, feeling him as our greatest reward, tasting him as our all-satisfying good. And this savoring transforms our lives—freeing us from the slavery of selfishness and overflowing in love to others. This joy-sustained, God-exalting transformation of love is then seen by others, who, by God’s grace, glorify God because of it.” - John Piper

Applications:

-Come to the Word seeking Christ.

-A right ministry of the Word will bear fruit. 

-Talk about the Word as a means of grace!

-Discipline gives way to delight.