March 25, 2025 DEVOTED THEMSELVES
1 Corinthians 16:13-17 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaea, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. And I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus; because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men .”
This passage gives us a good insight as to how the early believers were involved in ministry. As you read through the New Testament, you see the practical, everyday nitty-gritty of life as they lived out the gospel. It’s amazing, but we see the super natural work that God was doing and we see the practical outworking of the gospel. Paul mentions the ‘household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits (believers) of Achaea.’ We think of ‘individuals;’ several places in scripture we find the word ‘households.’ The household is the basic unit on society. As believers, we should prioritize the spiritual health of those in our household. There are no perfect households, but what a blessing when there is unity and a love for God our ‘household.’ I say all that, but that is not the point I want to make today. The main point is that some believers were devoted to ministering to the saints. These believers ‘worked and labored’ in helping other believers; it was more that just a casual relationship. These believers understood that they were a part of the body of Christ-the church, and that they needed each other. They were not looking out for their own interest first, but were using their time, resources and abilities to help other believers who were in need. The point for us is that we be not primarily self-centered, but that we minister to others as the Lord leads. There is a ‘work and labor’ in the life of a believer. The key point is that the work and labor we do, and the ministering to the saints, flows out of a heart of love. Even though we have jobs and responsibilities, we can still be devoted to ministry to the saints as God leads. No matter our position in life, let us be alert to ways we can minister and give help to those who have a need we can be a part of meeting. We cannot meet every need we see; but do not let that be an excuse for not meeting the needs that God puts on our hearts. The ministry that God has for us is eternal; let us be about as much as possible those things that have eternal value.
Matthew 25:40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me.’”
Blessings, Buddy
1 Corinthians 16:13-17 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaea, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. And I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus; because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men .”
This passage gives us a good insight as to how the early believers were involved in ministry. As you read through the New Testament, you see the practical, everyday nitty-gritty of life as they lived out the gospel. It’s amazing, but we see the super natural work that God was doing and we see the practical outworking of the gospel. Paul mentions the ‘household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits (believers) of Achaea.’ We think of ‘individuals;’ several places in scripture we find the word ‘households.’ The household is the basic unit on society. As believers, we should prioritize the spiritual health of those in our household. There are no perfect households, but what a blessing when there is unity and a love for God our ‘household.’ I say all that, but that is not the point I want to make today. The main point is that some believers were devoted to ministering to the saints. These believers ‘worked and labored’ in helping other believers; it was more that just a casual relationship. These believers understood that they were a part of the body of Christ-the church, and that they needed each other. They were not looking out for their own interest first, but were using their time, resources and abilities to help other believers who were in need. The point for us is that we be not primarily self-centered, but that we minister to others as the Lord leads. There is a ‘work and labor’ in the life of a believer. The key point is that the work and labor we do, and the ministering to the saints, flows out of a heart of love. Even though we have jobs and responsibilities, we can still be devoted to ministry to the saints as God leads. No matter our position in life, let us be alert to ways we can minister and give help to those who have a need we can be a part of meeting. We cannot meet every need we see; but do not let that be an excuse for not meeting the needs that God puts on our hearts. The ministry that God has for us is eternal; let us be about as much as possible those things that have eternal value.
Matthew 25:40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me.’”
Blessings, Buddy
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