The Ministry of the Word – Part 5
In the previous post, we introduced the concept of aspects of the ministry of the Word. You will remember that we mentioned:
Informing
Explaining
Instructing
Encouraging/Exhorting/Comforting
Rebuking
Warning
Reminding
In this post, we will consider the concept of Information as an aspect of the ministry of the Word.
Information is that which leads to a reduction in ignorance or uncertainty. If you’re not reducing my ignorance and uncertainty, you’re not informing me. In the things of God, ignorance or uncertainty is often an enemy which can only be conquered by the provision of information. Look at these verses:
1 Corinthians 12 (KJ2000)
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1 Thessalonians 4 (KJ2000)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.
One of the reasons why the five-fold ministry gifts were given was to bring knowledge to the Body of Christ, to provide information, to reduce our ignorance and uncertainty.
Ephesians 4 (KJ2000)
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
When you preach and teach, you should inform those who listen to you. If the primary thrust of your preaching and teaching is not to bring the Church to a better knowledge of the Son of God, perhaps you’re not a minister of the gospel. I say this with fear and trembling - there are many who occupy the pulpit today and focus more on politics, finance, self-help, and other topics which are strange to the gospel of Christ.
The great quest of Paul’s life was knowledge. Not knowledge in general, but knowledge of Jesus.
Philippians 3 (KJ2000)
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but rubbish, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Romans 12 (KJ2000)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
When you preach, people should not just learn, they should learn about Jesus. When you preach, people should not just learn facts about Jesus, they should learn about Him in a way that transforms them.
Too Little Emphasis on Information?
When there’s too little emphasis on information in a church over time, the following will be observed:
Zeal without Knowledge. Church members may be full of zeal, but such zeal will be misguided.
Romans 10 (KJ2000)
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.Sub-Optimal Christians. Church members will be unable to benefit from some of the richest of God’s blessings!
Acts 19 (KJ2000)
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,2 He said unto them, Received you the Holy Spirit when you believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.
Weak and Defeated Christians. The devil will take advantage of church members.
2 Corinthians 2 (KJ2000)
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.Sinful Lifestyles. Church members will walk in sin because the knowledge of God’s will from the Scriptures is not being emphasised. They are expected to live right based on their sense of morals and their own willpower, rather than the strength that comes from feeding on the Word.
1 Corinthians 15 (KJ2000)
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Too Much Emphasis on Information?
When there’s too much emphasis on information in a church over time, the following will be observed:
Pride. Church members will assume that good Christianity is all about acquiring knowledge for its own sake. They will think that their superior knowledge makes them better Christians than those who don’t know as much as they do.
1 Corinthians 8 (KJ2000)
1 Now concerning things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.Misplaced Priorities. Church members will prioritise learning new things, rather than putting what they have learnt into practice.
Acts 17 (KJ2000)
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers who were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)Indiscipline. Church members will begin to try to substitute Bible reading for other important Christian disciplines.
2 Timothy 3 (KJ2000)
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Closing Thoughts
Be conservative in your understanding of the message of Christ. It is a timeless message that never needs to be updated or upgraded. Do not teach doctrinal fads or the latest buzz words from human philosophies. Ask yourself, would the apostles of Christ in the First Century have taught on what I’m teaching now?
When you inform in your preaching, make sure you also explain, instruct, encourage, rebuke, warn and remind. A good sermon always consists of many aspects of the ministry of the Word.
Continue in grace!
