ON THE JOB

ON THE JOB
Part of my job is to teach the the word of God to my parishioners (Ec. 12:10). This includes the history, the theology, the Bible narrative, the doctrines, and the practical application of the Bible. The teaching is not simply the transmitting of information from one person to another, but the enlightening of the inner man, with the goal of perfecting my hearers (Co. 1:28-29), bringing them to full fruition (Ep. 4:12-14; He. 6:1), and spiritual maturity (He. 10:14; 13:20-21), conforming them to the image of Jesus (Ro. 8:29). It is also to prepare and equip my people to withstand the coming onslaught of false doctrines that will accost them in the days ahead (Ac. 20:27-32; Ep. 6:11-19; Ph. 1:27-29; Co. 4:12), and strengthen them against the persecution which will be raised against them by society, government and religion (Ac. 14:22; 1 Th. 3:2-4; 2 Tm. 3:10-14). There is much more, but this is basic.

I have not always been successful at my job. Sometimes I missed opportunities. Sometimes people quit listening and following before I was finished teaching and leading. Sometimes people got sidetracked. Sometimes people just got derailed. But I keep on keeping on.

I only have a very small church right now. The age and gender groups are as follows.
60-69 yrs... 2 (1/m - 1/f)
50-59 yrs... 0
40-49 yrs... 3 (3/m)
30-39 yrs... 3 (3/f)
20-29 yrs... 3 (1/m - 2/f)
07-12 yrs... 6 (4/m -2/f)
03-05 yrs... 2 (2/f)

I have always considered ministry to the children, to be ministry to young churchmen rather than a baby sitting service or a children's play time, and they have responded accordingly. Children have an interest in God, salvation and the Bible, because God has designed them and equipped them to be recipients of grace. God wants children to be saved at a very young age, in order to avoid the pitfalls that await young people. I think that you should expect children to be saved by the time they are 6 years old. Therefore the children in our church are learning Bible, theology, Christian ethics, doctrine and Christian living concepts at a very early age. This has always been important, but in the days ahead it becomes even more urgent to get the children saved and established at an early age (2 Pe. 3:10-12).

PASSAGES...
* Ecclesiastes 12:10
(10) The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

* Colossians 1:28-29
(28) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
(29) Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

* Ephesians 4:12-14
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(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 fulness of Christ:
(14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Hebrews 6:1
(1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

* Hebrews 10:14
(14) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Hebrews 13:20-21
(20) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

* Romans 8:29
(29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

* Acts 20:27-32
(27) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
(28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
(29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
(30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
(31) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
(32) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Ephesians 6:11-19
(11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
(13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
(15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
(16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
(17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
(18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Philippians 1:27-29
(27) Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
(28) And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
(29) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Colossians 4:12
(12) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

* Acts 14:22
(22) Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

1 Thessalonians 3:2-4
(2) And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
(3) That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
(4) For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

2 Timothy 3:10-14
(10) But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
(11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
(12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
(13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
(14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

* 2 Peter 3:10-12
(10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
(11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
(12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?