MINISTRY NOTES

Week of January 10, 2010

Hi Everyone,

This Ministry Notes is definitely for those who minister, which could/should include everyone. Warning: The following paragraph contains a lot of potentially boring academic stuff and may be skipped.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:34 (NIV) "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened." A generation is about 40 years and this statement was made close to 2,000 years ago. Most of the New Testament was translated into the Greek after several decades of Hebrew oral tradition and possibly one Gospel recorded in Hebrew. Remember that Jesus primary language was Hebrew. When these translations were made there was no Greek dictionary or lexicon. They had something better which was the Hebrew bible (or Old Testament) translated into Greek several centuries earlier called the Septuagint. The word "generation" is correctly translated from the Greek word "genea" (a transliteration) which is probably a root word of generation. To fully understand the Greek word we need to work back to see what the original translators found when seeing how a Hebrew word was translated into the Greek. This Greek word "genea" was used for 13 different Hebrew words when translating the Septuagint (aka LXX) , which incidentally exposes us to an older Hebrew text than the Masoretic Text that is available today. Although the majority of the Hebrew words are correctly reflected in the translation "generation" there are several Hebrew words they may give better insight to what Jesus was saying. The Hebrew word used for "genea" in Leviticus 20:18 and a different Hebrew word in Numbers 10:30 and a different Hebrew word in Jeremiah 10:25 are translated as "people (s)" or relatives or families. The Hebrew word used for "genea" in Numbers 13:22 (vs. 23 in LXX) and a different Hebrew word in Esther 9:28 are both translated as "descendants". Although it is impossible to know exactly the Hebrew word Jesus used that was translated into the Greek as "genea", the verse might be more accurately translated as "I tell you the truth, this people group and their descendents will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened." In some NIV translations they insert {[34] Or race} which is a valiant attempt to correct but it is lacking, as the word race does not describe the children of Israel to whom Jesus was speaking. Today in Israel thanks to the Diaspora, Jews exist from many different races through out the world. Unfortunately most scholars are just focused on understanding the Greek word rather than the Hebrew from which it was translated.

Marriage Workshop Moment

To refresh what you have learned in our Workshop or entice you to experience our Workshop

"Remember, all marriages can be better, if you use what you learned."

As couples are committed to each other, there can be personal dedication and constraint commitment. At first glance, constraint commitment which includes such things as social pressures, financial pressures, concern for the children or partner's welfare, termination procedures, moral factors, poorer alternative quality, etc. may appear to be lousy reasons for staying married but anything that helps you stay together is good, if it results in you working on your marriage. Research has shown that even in a very poor marriage the children usually benefit from their parents staying together. God said in Malachi 2:16, "I hate divorce …". Regarding poorer alternative quality, Jesus discourages checking out what else is available when He says, in Matthew 5:29 not to look at someone else "lustfully". If thinking that your partner will starve to death if you don't stay married, helps you stay married, I will not discourage you by suggesting anything to the contrary. The important thing as you stay married is to work on your marriage and the best way is to learn how to communicate better and resolve your problems with the skills you will learn in our Marriage Workshop.

The Better Half

"When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better"

As you recognize that constraint commitment is helping you stay together, make use of that time by praying. Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage ("all things are possible with God", Mark 10:27 NIV). Also make use of the opportunity of staying together by living in a manner that will improve your marriage like Jesus recommends in Luke 6:31 (TLB) "Treat others as you want them to treat you".

A Psalm for reflection

Psalm 10:4 (NIV) "In his pride the wicked does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God."

Understanding the Message:

What I share in the message is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote).

Message:

Who gets the credit?

Jealousy and competition apparently played a role in the first recorded murder1. Being competitive and desiring to promote oneself happens with many people including Christians. Many times I have heard Christians brag about how many people they or their group got "saved". Sometimes the term is used in dialogue with other Christians who do not use the term "saved" in their lingo, by asking them "are you saved?" These statements about being "saved" reflect a man made doctrine because Jesus tells us that He determines who is saved when He says God has given Him authority to judge2. Our Judge, Jesus, also tells us that if we want to get to heaven that we need to do what God wants and that it is not just a one-time action but we need to persist all of our lives3 to the end. We can help people know Jesus and God on a personal basis but to claim they are then saved is assuming you have authority that belongs to God who delegated it to Jesus. Pastors' also brag about how many people they have baptized or how many people they have in church. Some prominent people with big high profile ministries brag about their anointing regarding healing. Part of serving God is baptizing people, ministering to them 4or praying for their healing. When Jesus healed people frequently they praised God14. Bragging is an attempt to exalt ourselves or have pride by making others think we are great. Jesus says that, "whoever makes himself great will be made humble..."6. Being humble is good but not if God humbles you.

Our responsibility as Christians is quite simple. Jesus tells us that we are to make followers4. Who? Everyone! Some think it is the pastor's job but remember it is the sheep who make baby sheep not the shepherd. How? Some Christians bribe people with food or entertaining social programs for their families or false promises about eternal life, some even use high power sales techniques or try to argue them into submission. Jesus tells us, that when we receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to witness or tell others about Him5 and what He has done in our life. Just like the shepherds told others about the events relating to Jesus birth13. What difference does the power of the Holy Spirit make? Remember Peter who denied he even knew Jesus three times. After receiving the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter witnessed by telling the men who crucified Jesus, about Jesus7.

The child of God says, "What if I do an outstanding job in helping people come to Jesus?" Bull, you take credit for what belongs to God. Jesus says, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…"8. You may witness, you may encourage, you may tell many things about Jesus but ultimately only God draws people to Jesus. God uses us to minister or God ministers through us. You may be used by God to plant the seed, water the crop, fertilize the crop and then harvest crop, but God produces the crop. Jesus encourages us to pray for workers to harvest the crop12, not produce the crop. As God draws people we harvest them to be followers/learners, baptizing them and teaching them4 what Jesus taught.

The child of God says, "What if others recognize what a great job I am doing bring people to Jesus and healing people, and they give me honor and glory, will not God be happy for me." You are foolish to accept praise and glory that belongs to God. A man once just accepted praise that belonged to God and immediately God ended the man's life9 in an unpleasant way. I knew a godly man that appeared to live a very righteous life who died very young. I asked God why he died so young. God reminded me that Jesus said, "…everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required…"10. I can assure you that got my attention and made me reevaluate things in my life. Often people involved in ministry have not only forgotten what Jesus teaches about humility6 but apparently they have no fear of God and have forgotten that Jesus says, "…fear God, who, after killing, has the authority to throw into hell…"11.

Let's pray:

"God help us to be humble in our walk with You. Guide us and comfort us so we will resist the temptation to brag or try to take credit for the things that only You can do. Thank You for helping us to be obedient to what You want in everyway, in Jesus name, amen."

1. Genesis 4:3-8

2. John 5:27

3. Matthew 7:21; 24:13

4. Matthew 28:19-20 (ICB)

5. Acts 1:8

6. Matthew 23:12 (ICB)

7. Acts 4:8-12

8. John 6:44 (NIV)

9. Acts 12:21-23

10. Luke 12:48 (NKJV)

11. Luke 12:5 (TEV)

12. Luke 10:2

13. Luke 2:15-18

14. Mark 16:17-18; 2:12