GOD EXPECTS CHURCHES TO HELP OTHERS IN NEED
(This blog is a word-for-word transcript of what I teach to the pastors in India about “What God Expects of Churches.” We have already seen God expects churches to share the gospel, reflect His grace and teach and disciple believers. This is blog 3 of 5)
- HELP OTHERS IN NEED Acts 11:27-30 Acts 11:27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)
A prophet has the spiritual gift of being able to speak for God, “forth-telling” His message (1 Corinthians 14:1-5). He proclaims God’s truth as led by His Spirit (same as “preacher” today). Sometimes he has ability to receive and announce new revelation (“Fore-telling”), but that part of the gift ceased when New Testament was written (“shall cease” 1 Corinthians 13:8-10).
Agabus name of leader in Jerusalem. Also foretold Paul would be arrested in Jerusalem and he was. Predicted severe famine in whole Roman Empire – soon came. Two years later many Jews died in Jerusalem, hit very hard. Note the response of Christians in Antioch to this warning:
Acts 11:29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
No one told them to give, not Agabus or leaders. The Holy Spirit put it in their heart to help their fellow believers. The famine hit them hard as well – they could have kept everything in case they needed it. God will bless a Christian or church that helps others in need. A healthy church willingly shares what it has with those in need.
Healthy churches: 1. Faithfully share the gospel, 2. Reflect God’s grace, 3. Teach & disciple believers, 4. Help others in need, and 5. Have Godly leaders. The only way to do 1 to 4 is to have godly leaders!
- HAVE GODLY LEADERS 13:1 Acts 13:1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers:
Each house church was independent and had its own leaders, usually more than one. God provides godly leaders to each church to teach and apply God’s Word. Usually led by group of leaders called elders. Once New Testament was written the gifts of Apostle and Prophet were not needed so no one was given those gifts any more.
Those who led the house churches in Antioch had different titles, depending on the cultural background of the people in their church. The names were different, but they all referred to the same person. Jewish Christians called leaders “elders” because that is what they called their synagogue leaders. Gentiles called their church leaders “bishop”, the name they used for community leaders. The term pastor means shepherd and refers to the spiritual gift God gives. A deacon was a waiter serving people when they ate and was used for church leaders who helped pastors with non-spiritual matters. Different languages and cultures used different words for the same person, the pastor.
We have a list of the leaders in Antioch in Acts 13:1: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
Some of these men are rich and educated, others poor and uneducated. They come from different nationalities and castes. Churches today must include rich and poor from all cultures and backgrounds.
So far we have seen a healthy church must: 1. Faithfully share the gospel, 2. Reflect God’s grace, 3. Teach & disciple believers, 4. Help others in need, 5. Have Godly leaders and 6. Worship and pray. That’s what the church did when they met.
1 Peter 5:1-5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Does your church sacrificially share what they have to help people in need?
Are you training and mentoring men to take leadership roles in your church?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling)
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