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The Ministry

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

The ministry faces challenges due to complaints and murmurs that create an environment favorable to satan and contrary to what God desires in the church. Most grievances are directed at the ministry, often revolving around perceived secrecy on topics such as health-related controversies and speculative studies, which have been addressed openly yet still fuel accusations of hidden agendas. Additional complaints include the lack of public announcements about departures to protect individuals' privacy, and unfounded rumors about financial misconduct, which are baseless and divisive. Individual criticisms of ministers focus on their delivery styles and personal traits, yet each minister brings unique gifts as given by God to serve the congregation. The ministry, composed of individuals who have faced personal and professional challenges similar to those of the members, is not here to entertain but to foster spiritual growth and understanding. God has placed these elders in their roles to serve, each with diverse backgrounds and experiences, having worked, tithed, and stood for their beliefs under adversity. The ministry acknowledges human flaws and the necessity to reflect on their own character while preaching. They encourage open dialogue, urging members to approach concerns maturely by studying and discussing issues directly with ministers, rather than fostering discord. This approach aids both the ministry and members in refining their understanding and presentation of truth. The call is to resist satan's divisive tactics by drawing close to God, pursuing peace, and maintaining unity and love within the family of God, reflecting the harmony and patience that should characterize the body of Christ.

Itching Ears

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The ministry plays a crucial role in ensuring that the truth is preached in the proper order, avoiding the inversion of roles where the tail wags the dog. It is not the ministry's place to determine what is preached; they are men under authority, tasked with delivering the message as instructed. The responsibility lies in preaching the gospel without alteration, regardless of acceptance or rejection by the audience. A minister of God must not be driven by numbers, contributions, or personal gain, but by the compulsion to proclaim the truth as directed by the Master. Jesus Christ laid out clear instructions for His disciples on how to preach, emphasizing that the truth is non-negotiable. If a town rejects the message, the minister is to move on without changing the content to suit the audience. God does not want His ministers to waste time on those unwilling to accept the truth, but to seek out those who will support and believe it. The message must remain unchanged, reflecting the steadfast will of God. The example of the apostle Paul illustrates the dedication required of a true minister. Paul felt a necessity to preach the gospel, driven by a deep compulsion and a sense of doom if he failed to do so. A minister's calling is not merely a job, but a profound duty to share the truth, feeling an inner pressure to release the message that cannot remain unspoken. This compulsion comes from God Himself, urging the minister to speak the truth for the benefit of others, not for personal reward, but for the satisfaction of fulfilling the divine task. Paul's instructions to Timothy further highlight the responsibilities of a faithful minister. A true minister must be prepared to face challenges and sacrifices, grounding themselves in Scripture for strength and inspiration. The duty is to preach the Word at all times, providing instruction whenever needed, regardless of the season or context. The minister must remain vigilant against false teachings, which grow more prevalent as time progresses, and stay committed to delivering the pure, unadulterated truth. The gospel that must be preached, as established by Jesus Christ, is the Kingdom of God. This was the central focus of His message, and He instilled this same zeal in His apostles, including Paul. The ministry must maintain this focus, preaching the Kingdom of God as the primary thrust, encompassing all related aspects of grace, peace, and salvation. It is through this gospel that God works through human instruments, sending them out to proclaim the message that brings salvation.

Who Is Doing the Work of God?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Many sincere individuals believe that a ministry is validated as being of God only if it preaches the gospel to the world. However, Scripture reveals a dual commission given by Christ to His church. Christ commanded Peter to feed and tend His sheep, while also instructing the apostles to preach the gospel to all the world as a witness and make disciples. The biblical record demonstrates that God consistently focuses His attention on feeding the sheep, as seen in His dealings with physical Israel, where His concern was overwhelmingly on them rather than on converting other nations. The ministry, as a gift to the church, is purposed to help perfect the saints to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, emphasizing the importance of continual feeding through God's Word. Preparation is essential for effective preaching of the gospel, as exemplified by Christ's Sermon on the Mount, which was directed to His disciples to shape their attitudes, relationship with God, and conduct as a witness. Without such preparation, the witness through lives and preaching would be ineffective. Jesus spent three and a half years training His disciples with concentrated instruction, focusing His efforts on them rather than the world. The deep things of God require more time and attention than merely preaching the gospel, highlighting the priority of preparation over immediate outreach. Currently, confusion and division persist within the church of God, as multiple individuals claim to be successors or to revive God's Work, competing for followers and adding to the existing turmoil. Such competition and proselytizing among the church's fallout raise questions about whether this aligns with God's will, as it fosters division rather than unity. The Bible shows that first-century apostles divided their responsibilities into spheres to avoid encroaching on each other's areas and causing confusion about authority. Concerning the preaching of the gospel to the world, no one at this time appears sufficiently prepared to represent the great God of heaven and earth in a manner that truly glorifies Him. God, through Malachi, charges the ministry with giving disrespectful service and despising His name by offering poor quality service and considering their responsibility a weariness. The ministry has fallen short in keeping knowledge and causing many to stumble, leading to social issues like marital problems and divorce due to a careless approach to their duty. The primary focus should be on feeding and preparing the flock to ensure a true end-time witness, allowing Christ to choose who will represent Him without presumption based on mere ability or resources.

'I'll Never Follow Another Man!'

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

This is an oft-repeated refrain in these days of distrust of the ministry. But is it a godly attitude? What does the Bible say about human leadership?

Government (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The authority in the ministry is a 'staff position,' given by God, as a gift for equipping the saints for service and for edifying the body of Christ.

Parables of Matthew 13 (Part 3): Hidden Treasure

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The church constitutes Christ's treasure, hidden in the world, purchased and redeemed with Christ's blood. The Pearl of Great Price depicts a rich merchant (Christ), the only one who had the means to redeem His church. The Dragnet symbolizes the scope of God's calling while the separation process indicates God's high standards of selection, indicating a time of righteous and impartial judgment. The Householder parable shows the responsibility of the ministry to be authoritative interpreters of scripture, using what they have learned and experienced to instruct the people.

For the Perfecting of the Saints

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

Do Christians need a church? With all the church problems in recent years, many have withdrawn. Yet the church—problems and all—serves a God-ordained role.

Government (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The ministry's authority consists of teaching, edifying, and equipping the members for sainthood, but not to wield dictatorial power over their lives.

Themes of I Corinthians (Part 2)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A true, godly minister does not draw people to himself, but instead to God. Not placing Christ at the forefront will lead to carnal-mindedness.

Titus 2:11-14

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We are obligated to dress and keep what is placed in our care, improving what He has given to us. We dare not stand still, but must make effort to grow.

Elisha and the Shunammite Woman, Part II: Serving God's Children

Article by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Comparing God's true ministers to false ministers—and seeing their fruit—reveals how the church must be revived spiritually. And "sneezing" plays a major role!

Self-Government and Responsibility (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We need free moral agency to be transformed into God's image. Unless one has God's Spirit, he cannot exercise the internal control to be subject to the way of God.

It Takes a Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As Christians, we need to form warm, productive, quality relationships with our brethren, actively ministering to the needs of one another.

Self-Government: Overcoming

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We dare not allow anybody to come between God's direct governance and ourselves. Even God's government will not work unless we voluntarily govern ourselves.

God and Government

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Government run by carnal men will never work, but those under the New Covenant, having God's law written on their hearts, can make any form of government work.

Matthew (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The transfiguration prefigured the Kingdom of God, with the disciples only seeing Jesus in the end, showing salvation is through Him alone.