THE SAMARITAN RESPONSE
What is required for a true and effective ministry
John Chapter 4 records the events that began when Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman at the well. While reading this portion of scripture recently, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by how the Samaritans responded to Jesus Christ. Therefore I spent time meditating on what occurred in this passage of scripture and what follows is the result of what the Lord revealed aided by a little historical research.
The Samaritans were looked down upon by the Jews as a lesser and separated renegade people who are the remainder of the ten northern tribes of Israel. This separation followed the division of Israel into two kingdoms following the reign of Solomon. As Jesus is traveling through this province He stops at a well and has a conversation with a Samarian woman whom He asks for a drink of water. Their conversation was regarding the worship of God that ends up with Jesus being comfortable enough with her to reveal himself to her as the Messiah. She believes him and then goes into town to tell others and they believe also. Then they come out to meet Jesus and they received him and his teaching.
The reception Jesus received in Samaria is remarkable when compared to his reception in Judea among the Jews with their priests, scribes and Pharisees. The Samaritans believed on Jesus as the Messiah even though no miracles were recorded as being performed by Him there. They even invited Him to stay with them and teach; they received Him and His word. However, the Jews in Judea would not receive Him, or His word, even though He performed numerous miracles before their eyes as evidence of who He is.
John 12:37 - But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
What was the difference between the people of Samaria and those of Judea that made these two peoples respond differently to Jesus? This question seems profound when you consider that both groups of people are descendants of Jacob, (later named Israel), and both have the same religious background based on the Law of Moses and the words of the prophets. Both groups knew that the prophesied Messiah was to come and were expecting him. So why is there a different response to Jesus by each group - one accepting Him while the other rejecting him?
It appears that the big difference between the people of these two regions was that Judea was under the influence and control of an “Institutionalized Religious System” dominated by the Jews and their imposed religious rituals; the Samaritans do not appear to have this strong, Pharisaical influence. (From this point forward the “Institutional Religious System” will be referred to as the IRS.)
In studying the Gospel of John we see the term “Jews” is used sixty-four times. Nearly every time “the Jews” are referred to is an indication that they are the elite, the religious ruling class and authority over “the people”. The people of Judea followed Jesus and listened to his teaching, but later they were persuaded by “the Jews” to reject and oppose him. The Jews also oppressed the people of Judea with their rules and control:
John 9:22 – “……because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
The Jews were those who strictly observed and enforced Judaism, what eventually became the institutionalized religious system (IRS) of Judea. The religious extremism they enforced evolved from the Torah (the Law of Moses) and the writings of the prophets. However, the evolution of Judaism resulted from rituals, practices and religious requirements that men added that were never ordained by God. Since Jesus did not adhere to these additional requirements of the Jews, they opposed him. They constantly criticized, challenged, persecuted and even plotted against Jesus because he did not conform to their established rules, rituals, doctrines and practices. Therefore they felt that he couldn’t possibly be the expected messiah since he didn’t fit “their” religious mold.
The term “Jews” refers to the priests, scribes, Pharisees, and teachers along with the rulers of the temple and synagogues that composed the IRS of Judea. The Samaritans did not have such a hindrance, particularly the Pharisees, to their knowledge of the law and the prophets, so they were able to readily receive Jesus and His words when He came to them. The Samaritans were not under the influence or control of these “Jews”; and this is one reason why the Jews looked down on them as a lesser class of people – even referring to them as “dogs”. Even though the Samaritans did observe the traditional Jewish customs, there is no reference to the presence of the “scribes and Pharisees” that embellished on the Law and Prophets to add rituals and traditions that were observed in Judea; traditions and rituals that even Jesus did not and would not observe.
Why was the established IRS of the Jews so opposed to Jesus? One reason is a matter of their perception of the Messiah. The Jews had no awareness or understanding of who Jesus really was because they had a preconceived perception of what the Messiah would be like when he arrived on the scene. Unfortunately, they assumed that the Messiah would look and act much like them. They looked for one like themselves as they felt that they were the perfect role model for righteousness and that Jesus would fit their pattern of a stoic, rigid and ritualistic law keeper. Since Jesus did not conform to their image of what the Messiah should be like, they could not therefore accept that He is the Messiah, so they rejected him.
These law-keepers imposed harsh judgments for behavior that they determined as being unlawful. They had no concept of mercy, grace, compassion or forgiveness which is what Jesus, the Messiah, came to bring. Jesus said He did not come to judge the world as the Jews were accustomed to doing. Instead he came to bring salvation, forgiveness and restoration to God.
John 12:47 – ...for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
He was functioning, demonstrating and motivated by the Fruit of the Spirit which is the character and nature of God: Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). To the Jews, Jesus did not represent “their” IRS.
Another reason why this brood of leadership could not accept Jesus as the Christ is because they could not control him; they also considered him to be a threat to their positions of authority, influence and control. In fact, he was so much of a threat to their IRS that they wanted to get rid of him rather than accept Him and His word:
John 11:47-48 - Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Mark 14:1 – And after two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
Jesus was considered to be rebellious by the IRS. It is not remarkable then that Christ’s disciples and followers were also a threat to the same IRS, and they too were persecuted and killed in an attempt to stop the spreading of the gospel and the building of the true church:
Acts 4: 16-18 - Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Jesus pronounced a series of “woes” upon those in leadership positions in the IRS.
Matthew 23:13-33 - But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
“Woe” is an exclamation of sorrow, grief or trouble; grief and trouble caused by these leaders and the consequences they will suffer as a result of their actions. Jesus calls them hypocrites and concludes his descriptions of them as being serpents and vipers – deadly poisonous snakes. Clearly Jesus is declaring that such religious leaders are a danger to people’s efforts to follow the Lord.
If Jesus was to walk and work among us today as he did 2000 years, how would he be received? Would it be the same as in Samaria, or would it be like in Judea. I dare say that He would likely experience the same response as He did then by those two groups of people, both who are looking forward to his coming. Why would this be? I pose this question because today we have an established IRS controlled by man who has also added doctrines, rituals and practices that are not ordained of God; and at the same time they have removed some of those vital observances that God has ordained. Jesus would likely be considered to be rebellious by today’s institutional religious system (IRS).
This established IRS is called “church”. However, there is also another group that is not so dominated and controlled by man that is also known as “church”, but it is the church that is HIS BODY, of which and He is the Head, and not man. So we actually have two groups in the world today called “church”. One is the church that man is building, the institutionalized church; the other is the church that Jesus is building - the Body of Christ. Some elements of His church remains within man’s church – (like the tares and wheat mixed and growing together). Those in the IRS have considerable knowledge of Jesus and the Bible, but many of them have not had a genuine heart changing experience with Jesus, or their allegiance is more devoted to their particular branch of the IRS than to Jesus Christ. Their focus is on their “church” or denomination rather than on Christ. This is why they can’t move with His leading, and they reject the input of the Holy Spirit, preferring to run things their own way.
Therefore, if Jesus was to work His works today as He did 2000 years ago He would likely experience the same criticism, challenges, persecution and opposition by the established IRS as He did back then, and this would come primarily from the church that man is building. Why would this happen? ….. because He does not conform to their established rules, rituals, doctrines, and practices, much of which was created and imposed by man, are not of God, and have no true Biblical basis. The leadership of man’s church would not be able to control Him and He would be a threat to their positions of authority, influence and control, (and income); just like it happened 2000 years ago.
So we see that the problem resides in the leadership of the IRS rather than in the people that are subject to their control and influence. Many times the people within the system will accept what Jesus is doing and showing them as they search the scriptures, but they are then “put down” by the leadership of the IRS. If such people choose to pursue what the Lord is showing them and doing, they have to leave the institutionalized system in order to feel free to follow His will. Many such people are those that are in the church that Jesus is building but are also members of man’s institutionalized church. They refuse to leave and, instead, put up with the established leadership’s control; yet they maintain their proper response to what Jesus is doing, saying and leading by His Holy Spirit. They are often criticized and persecuted for their differing views. They are the part of the church that Jesus is building, but they still remain within the church man is building; and they are often compromised by the IRS while trying to bring about a change within it. Some may even be part of the leadership of the IRS but they too will compromise to preserve their position.
John 12:42-43 - Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (Note: compromise such as this by believers is one reason that allows the IRS to maintain control.)
How can this situation be corrected and resolved so that the church is totally ready for the coming of Christ? Since the problem lies in the leadership, let’s take a look at what is required for leadership of His church. Paul identifies such requirements in his letter to Timothy:
1 Timothy 3:1-8 – This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
However, these requirements assume that the person has already qualified as a servant through the process of discipleship as Jesus taught. I have encountered many in positions of church leadership who have never been through the discipleship process which is required to be a servant of the Lord. They may have met man’s qualifications and have been given man’s credentials to be a leader in the church man is building, but they have not qualified to be leaders in the church that Christ is building.
Luke 9:23-25 – And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Matthew 20:25-28 - But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
In order to be a true servant of the Lord one must become “self-less” just as Jesus was. He is our role model for ministry and leadership in His church. Unfortunately, self-less-ness is not taught in the institutions that produce the leadership for the church man is building. Along with doctrine, traditional ministerial students are taught the “how to” of organizing, directing and controlling the organization and its members. Basically, they are directed to build and maintain the church using man’s ways and are not being led or directed by the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent to guide and lead us in the building of His church. They are shown by man how to conceive agendas and work to fulfill them. They can’t be a servant of the Lord and have their own agenda since it would be their own agenda that they will work toward. The result is a church full of programs and entertainment to keep people attending and occupied within the organization.
Not being a true servant under the lordship of Jesus Christ means they are not doing His agenda, but their own; and they can’t be His servant while doing their own thing. Why? ….because it is their work they are doing and not His. He cannot lead them and direct their steps because they have already predetermined what they are going to do and how to do it. Then they ask God to bless their plans. In the IRS they are doing their works in the name of the Lord, but they are doing THEIR work FOR Him.
Initially this sounds very admirable, but that is not how it’s supposed to be done. Jesus does not need people working FOR Him; He is looking for people that He can WORK THROUGH. Jesus said “He would build His church” and He is looking for those who have been disciplined enough to be true servants. True servants are ones that receive directions from their master; they are the ones that He uses to build His church, and they do it His way, by His directives. His servants are ones that He does His work through so He can build it His way; they don’t work for Him – He works through them.
As a result of man building a church using man’s own methods, and not the Lord’s, we have the IRS church. It is full of man’s personalities, doctrines and traditions. Most of these churches are built and established by a man under a man’s name. You even hear people say I go to so-and-so’s church, naming the pastor who is the head of that church, or I go to “such ‘n such” church naming the institution or denomination.
The church that Jesus is building has Jesus as the head of the church and does not focus on the name of a man or the name of an institution or denomination. Also you should notice that the church that man builds generally reflects man’s personality; just like an architect’s qualities are reflected in the buildings he designs. Whereas Jesus’ personality and character is reflected in the church He is building. So now you can see that it is apparent that there are two churches in the world today; the one man is building, and the one Jesus is building.
In Revelation Chapter 3 we see the result of a church that man builds; it can be very successful in the eyes of man and the world; but it is very deficient in the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 3:14-20 – And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Note that Jesus was not even in this church; He was left outside and knocking, asking admission to get in. Obviously those in leadership of the church in Laodicea were no longer true servants of the Lord because they were not being led by the Lord or it would not have become as Christ described it. It may be possible that it began properly as have many today, but reliance on man’s leadership rather than the Lord’s leading allowed them to stray into the paths of human effort resulting in a fleshly organization and congregation.
Let’s get back to what is required for leadership in His church, and we start with Jesus Christ who is our example and the standard by which we are to live and serve. It is vital that we are able to recognize true ministry and ministers, especially in these last days.
Luke 22:25-27 – And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Jesus is the pattern of true ministry, so we need to look at how he operated in order to properly represent Him and His Kingdom here on earth now. All true ministry involves the working of the Holy Spirit in and through those who have been so endowed, as was Jesus. In addition, true ministry is founded on the Fruit of the Spirit, which is the character and nature of God as exhibited through Jesus Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Much of Jesus’ ministry involved supernatural events that we recognize today as Gifts of the Spirit. Those in whom the Fruit of the Spirit is evident are those through which the TRUE Gifts of the Spirit are able to operate.
1 Corinthians 12:7-10 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Please be aware that these Gifts are often counterfeited by Satan which he incorporates to deceive people to bring them into bondage of false doctrines and practices. This is why Jesus gave the warning to beware of false ministry as compared to TRUE ministry.
Matthew 7:15-23 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Look what Jesus has to say about those ministers who are attempting to build His house by their own ways and means:
Matthew 7: 24-27 – Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise (minister) man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish (minister) man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Verses 24-27 refer to the building of up the saints, His church – His house. Those in ministry who do their own thing, (which is iniquity), are building the wrong way and when the storms of life come to those under their ministry, they will not stand firm but will fall. Such ministers are not building on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ and His Word; instead, they are building on their personality, their doctrine and ideas, which is like building on sand.
Jesus knew that in the last days that false prophets and preachers would rely on supernatural manifestations to deceive people and persuade them to follow their false ministry.
Matthew 24:4-5, 24 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
The Gifts of the Spirit are valid, even for today in spite of the teaching of some, but the true gifts operate as a result of the Fruit of the Spirit, namely, the first listed Fruit of Love (charity).
1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:3 – But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
There are two key elements that are required for those who are to be recognized as having a true ministry as servants of the Lord. Both elements are derived from the Fruit of the Spirit: the first is COMPASSION – love or charity; the second is A SERVANT’S HEART – humility and meekness.
Compassion is defined as “to care for” and is a component of love/charity. From the Greek as used in scripture it means: sympathy; pity; inner deep seated concern for another; bowels of mercy; yearning to help or meet their needs; moved by the distress, needs or misfortune of others. Jesus provided the example of compassion, (love in action), as He was moved (motivated) with a loving concern for those he saw in need. In the Old Testament, God’s loving care and kindness was frequently referred to as “His Grace and Mercy that endures forever”. Jesus brought that grace and mercy to us by His compassion:
Matthew 9:36 – But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Matthew 14:14 – And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Matthew 15:32 – Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
Matthew 20:34 – So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
So ministers today are to be moved with compassion; and when they do so the power of God begins to flow through them with the Gifts of the Spirit to meet the needs of those being ministered to.
Jesus also provides us an example of a true servant’s heart in not seeking benefit for Himself, but for the offering of Himself for the benefit of others, in what He can give them or do for them.
Matthew 20:21 – And he said unto her, What wilt thou?….
Matthew 20:25-28 – But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many
Matthew 20:32 – And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
Note that scripture shows that Jesus did nothing for himself; all he did was for the benefit of others. The only time He expressed a concern for Himself was while He was agonizing in the garden over what he knew he was facing on our behalf; nevertheless he yielded to the Father’s divine will and purpose as a true servant.
Jesus demonstrated humility and meekness in his service which is the opposite of the haughtiness and aloofness demonstrated by some well known ministers we have seen in recent history. Ministry without a servant’s heart and compassion for others is a ministry that is self serving; one that is out for personal gain of wealth, position, and recognition, (fame and fortune).
We should also note that Jesus did not do blanket ministry covering everyone, but only to those who came to Him. What He had to offer was not for those who didn’t seek Him. His compassion was on those who followed Him, came to Him, and asked of Him and sought Him out.
Matthew 7:7-8 – Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
From this we learn that not all people will receive of what the Lord has to offer, so don’t try to force the Word or the gospel on those who are not open to it, as the manner of some is in efforts to evangelize.
The work of ministry consists of meeting needs of others – physically, spiritually, financially; instructing in right living and in growing to spiritual maturity and conformity to Christ; and in comforting and encouraging. True ministry is to serve others and requires compassion.
1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Jude 22 – And of some have compassion, making a difference:
As mentioned before, a true minister is a servant, and a servant is self-less; he has died to his own self will and self determination. (This requirement goes completely against what is commonly taught today as the “can do” philosophy of success, prosperity and make your own way in life.) Being selfless means you do not exercise your own will and desires; instead, you die to them. It’s called denying self. Then you are able to follow the will and directives of the one that you recognize as your master – Jesus Christ the Lord.
Jesus is our example: He did not have His own agenda but followed the directives of His Heavenly Father. (This is also why He spent much time in prayer and communion with God in the early hours each day; to know what His Father wants done that day.) Jesus was the prefect servant; He was selfless, empty of self-will and desires except to serve his Father and do God’s will. Thus Jesus could truthfully say, If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father. Jesus did nothing to serve himself; he came to serve, or to minister to, us.
John 5:19 – Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
John 12:44-45 - Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
Those who are called of the Lord to serve Him in ministry and to build His church must be disciples in order to become servants; selfless, empty of their own desires and their own will, in order to be directed by the Lord Jesus in the building of His church and equipping the saints. They follow Jesus’ example:
1 Peter 2:21 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
The result of their labors will be a church that will hear the Word of the Lord when He speaks by His Spirit; they will be endued with power and ability to do His work and the results will reflect Him. This produces a church without spot or wrinkle, the one that Jesus is coming back for.
Hopefully the institutionalized church can also become responsive to the Holy Spirit and the leading of the Lord, but only if the leadership will set aside those things taught by man and their reliance on man’s control and maintenance of their own crafted organization, doctrines, rituals and practices.
True and proper leadership in the church will not dominate or control as being lord’s over Christ’s congregation, but rather will be servants to it, to nurture and rear it up. Such leadership is to set the example of a Christ centered life for the congregation to follow:
1 Peter 5:3 - Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
The leadership of His church lives this way and encourages the saints to follow their example. Paul said he and his team of ministers had set the example:
2 Thessalonians 3:7 - For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
The apostle Paul instructed young Timothy, as a leader, to be an example:
1 Timothy 4:12 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
The apostle Paul summed it up quite completely how every believer is to live:
Philippians 3:17 – Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
The proper role of a servant to be a minister to, and in, the Lord’s church requires selflessness and then satisfying the requirements that Paul described in behavior and mode of living. Deny self, which is to eliminate self will, selfishness, which is also frequently referred to in scripture as “the flesh”, “the old man”, and “the old nature”.
Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Jesus gave the command not to follow false leadership:
Matthew 7:15-16, 20 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
The fruit Jesus is referring to here is not man’s works, but rather, the Fruit of the Spirit; (this is redundant but it is so import that it needs to be repeated again):
Galatians 5:22-24 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
This fruit is the character and nature of God that is also in Christ; it is the result of applying Galatians 2:20 and making that your way of life; (note that the flesh, or self, is crucified, put to death - verse 24). The false prophets, teachers and ministers are missing this fruit. They would rather have you look at their works, including signs and wonders performed by them:
Matthew 7:22-23 - Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?3And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Note: the enemy can do signs and wonders too, but he can’t duplicate the character and nature of God – the Fruit of the Spirit. That’s why Jesus said to look for the “fruit” – His character and nature in those that minister and provide leadership in the church. Note also that Jesus said these “many” also work iniquity. Iniquity means “doing your own thing” which is a form of rebellion; not following His leading.
What is the most significant requirement to being a servant? - He must be able to hear his master’s voice. Why is this so important? A servant must be able to hear his master’s voice in order to follow his will and do his master’s bidding. Traditionally, those who are called by God into His service are usually trained for the ministry by man’s institutions of learning: bible schools and seminaries that are run by man’s IRS. Here they are taught and trained for leadership by teachers of the established religious system (IRS) on how to propagate that same system. They are taught by those who depend on man’s techniques and methods, and these instructors generally do not know how to hear the master’s voice in order to be directed by Him; so how can they be qualified to teach others to HEAR HIM?
This is an absence of the most essential ingredient to being a servant of the Lord – hearing his voice. How then are they going to teach and train new leadership how to hear the master’s voice, the ingredient that is required in order to be directed by Him in the building of His church (house). Again, Jesus is our example:
John 5:30 – I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
This is much like the reference to Martha and Mary. Martha was very diligent in ministering; but Mary chose something, which at that moment, was much more important. Jesus acknowledged that being able to hear Him was more important than just being busy ministering as many do today:
Luke 10:38-42 – “.......and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving (ministry), and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve (minister) alone? Bid her therefore that she help me (minister). And Jesus said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many (lesser important) things: but one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (parentheses added).
Jesus was actually rebuking Martha for trying to do “her” ministry during the same time that Jesus was “ministering”. She should have stopped and listened to Him. Without hearing the master’s directions, man is left to his own accord in building the church. Thus we have the results as mentioned in Revelation 3:14-19, the Church of Laodicea to which this notice as given:
Revelation 3:22 – “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Consider what happens to those who don’t have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Obviously they miss out on what Christ wants them to hear and do. So what are the consequences of not being a selfless true servant of the Lord and of not hearing and following His directives in building His church - (His House)? Those who hear and follow His instructions are building His house (the church ) on rock. Those who do not hear His voice but employ man’s institutionalized training and techniques are not obedient or directed by Him and end up building their version of His house on sand.
Matthew 7:24-27 – “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
The question to ask in regards to this passage is; whose house are we building? Since the last part of this chapter seems to deal with those who present themselves as leadership of the Lord’s people and the work of the ministry of teaching and preaching His Word in His name, it appears that Jesus is referring to His house that is being built by His servants.
Another consideration regarding being a true servant of the Lord is that they do not do their service for a pay check as do the professional clergy of the IRS. I know that this will be hard to accept but the reason is clear as can be: the one who pays you controls you. Jesus made it clear that you cannot serve God and make that service your occupation or vocation. Why, because you would have to compromise His Word and His directives for the demands of the people or organization that pays your wages. This is a main reason why we have the messed up IRS we have today; it’s due to dependence on a salary and the manipulation and control by those who pay it – resulting in the “professional clergy”. This eliminates the freedom to hear from the Lord and speak His words; especially if those words go contrary to the doctrines, rituals and practices of the established IRS, organization, denomination or church that pays ones salary.
Luke 16:13 - “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
It is also apparent that the IRS requires that it, the church, its name, its system or program, becomes the central focus of Christian life. Though this sounds good, it is error, and the same one that the Jews promoted two thousand years ago – allegiance to the system. In the church that Christ is building, He is the center and focus of attention and not the church organization or the religious system. His church is the result of a life centered on Him, and Him alone. Church, then, is the by-product of those who intimately know and follow Him and not man’s system of organized, institutionalized religion.
This article will likely offend many who are comfortable in the IRS that many refer to as church; but the purpose of this article is to provoke self examination of what is believed, practiced and carried on traditionally, and to get Christians to focus on Christ and to follow the leading and examples of those who are God’s true servants; servants who have paid a high price to be qualified as His servants who DO NOT live off of the flock.
Read Ezekiel 34 to see what God has to say about the religious institution created by the Jews. It’s important to recognize that there are many similarities with today’s IRS, and people within it need to get out and follow the true shepherds and servants; or demand change within their institution to bring it back to the way God intended it to be – His temple and dwelling place. His temple does not refer to a church building at all because Jesus said He does not live in a temple built by human hands; His people are His temple and His dwelling place:
1 Corinthians 3:16 - Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
True servants are Christ’s ambassadors and not much like the professional clergy, most of who continue parroting and propagating the traditions of man’s doctrines and practices; some of which have their origins in ancient pagan practices.
It is our prayer that godly and self-less leadership will come forth according to the requirements as set forth in the Bible; those who hear and follow the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ and the leading of His Holy Spirit to guide His people into being the Church that Christ is building. It is also our prayer is that people will be as the Samaritans and respond to Jesus and His Word by receiving Him with a whole heart and mind so that the church will be as the Samaritans were, ready to receive Christ when He comes.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
EPILOGUE
Warning: the following supplement will be offensive to those in the IRS, nevertheless it must be brought out or I would be failing in the task the Lord has assigned to me and others in dealing with this end-time condition of the church.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Recognizing that there are currently two churches in the world today, one built by man (the IRS) and the other built by Christ, is important to identify which one you are in and which one you want to be part of. Is it possible that the two can become one? This would require the IRS church of man to yield up their control, their positions, false doctrines and traditions in order to submit to the Lordship of Christ as the true and sole Head of the Church. Can the IRS be changed?
This may not be possible! Why? ….consider that Jesus was not able to change the Jews of His day; thus the IRS remained intact to conspire His death. However, there were some of the Jews that did believe on Him such as Nicodemus. Nicodemus became a believer and remained in the system for a while; but, most likely he ended up having to leave. Other believing Jews also had to leave the IRS and became part of His body of believers – His church. More than likely we will not be able to change the entire leadership of the IRS, but some may come out of it; however, they need to be encouraged or they may experience the result of compromise that such leaders did when they believed on Jesus two thousand years ago.
John 12:42-43 - Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
We can appeal for them individually to come out of the IRS and move in and with the church Christ is building.
To more accurately describe the two churches in the world today is to recognize that one is of God and the other is of man. One represents Christ, and the other is the false church of man, an imitation or counterfeit fostering deception and deceiving those that are within it.
As we draw closer to the return of Christ, the differences between the two will become more pronounced; so much so that opposition will arise. Most likely, the IRS will employ state or government protection through laws and regulations while at the same time try to outlaw the true church Christ is building. How can this happen? Just like it did in Jesus’ time! The IRS of the Jews obtained government recognition as the official religious system of the land. They were then able to employ the government’s political and legislative system, the Roman leaders, to kill Jesus and to persecute the church and kill Christians. This grew to the point that killing Christians became a sport, a source of entertainment in Rome featured in the coliseum.
The false church, (originating as Roman Catholic), that began as political Rome disintegrated, picked up much of Rome’s pagan practices and added considerably more false doctrines and changed Christian beliefs and formed new traditions. It also appears to have picked up the mantle of the Caesars in the form of the pope, and then continued to carry on the practice of killing the true believers for centuries. Jesus gave the apostle John the warning of the destructiveness of the IRS – the false church which operates under the influence of the spirit of antichrist.
1 John 2:18-22 – Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
Putting Mary above Christ as the intercessor, and making the priest as the forgiver of sins, is denying Christ of His position and who He is as is done in the Church of Rome. Consider also where antichrist operates: not in the world which is already under the influence of Satan, but in church where he masquerades as the Holy Spirit, albeit – the counterfeit.
Could it be possible that the IRS has created the great whore, a phase of the mystery (mystical) Babylon, mentioned in the Book of Revelation? Several descriptions of it are recorded in the Book of Revelation and in Foxes Book of Martyrs as killer of the saints and reveal that it is likely describing the Church of Rome.
Revelation 17:1 – And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Note: The Pope of Rome has ruled over and influenced the kings of the earth for centuries. Also note that “fornication” refers to perverted worship by people who claim to be God’s people. This term was frequently used of the people of Israel when they turned from God to worship idols and observe pagan religions practices. However, we must also recognize that the Church of Rome had offspring – the harlot had daughters.
Revelation 17:5-6 - And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
This reference to “harlots” likely refers to the Protestant church that sprang out of Rome as a result of the Reformation. They eliminated much error and some pagan practices; nevertheless, they also continued with much that originated in Rome that is not biblical – thus they are the offspring of Rome, the harlot daughters. Why? …because they still carry on man’s rule over the people and many man made false doctrines and practices. Fortunately they incorporated faith in the blood of Jesus for salvation, rejected the Pope, Mary worship and idols, but they kept many other things that are not biblical; especially the Nicolaitan form of church hierarchy, the clergy, the rule and government by man that the early church did not have and thrived without:
Revelation 2:15 – So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
The church that man is building includes much of the Protestant sect also; and it doesn’t stop there either. Yes, they preach Christ and use His Word; but, they mix error, false doctrines, rituals and practices in with the truth. Mixing error with truth means you no longer have TRUTH. Like a cancer, the error grows and kills the truth if not cut out. The church Christ is building does not tolerate a mixture of error with truth.
John 4:23-24 - But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
It may help to understand how the false church could possibly be referred to as the mystery Babylon. Babylon, as mentioned several times in the Book of Revelation appears to refer to different entities, each of which has some form of identification with Babylon. Mystery Babylon is actually “mystical” Babylon which indicates a mystic, mysterious or occultic form. This would apply to a religious system that engages in superstitions and practices with pagan origins and false doctrines that are held aloof from the people by its leaders and reported to be only understood by those in authority of the system. This perfectly describes the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, the word Babylon refers to the place of Babel which means “confusion”. Confusion is the result of mixing truth with error as is done in the IRS of the Roman church and its spin-offs. This IRS will be judged and destroyed:
Revelation 17:18 - And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Revelation 19:1-2 - And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
The question to ponder is: can the IRS be changed or must people be brought to the realization that it is the false church and they have to abandon it. If, indeed, the IRS church of today is the great whore and her daughters, then Christ is calling His people to leave it before it is judged as stated in scripture:
Revelation 18:4-5 – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Believers, it’s time to heed the Lord’s warning and get out of the IRS and into His Body fully and without compromise. Be part of His church, the only one without spot or wrinkle.
Ephesians 5:25-27 – Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Note: “spots” imply sins, dirty stains, bad habits, even wrong traditions or practices; and “wrinkle” implies old age or an old system that has no vibrant spiritual life – lacking the life of the vine that renews and refreshes daily. Both seem to refer to the IRS.
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Nowhere in the New Testament of the Bible does it say that the church is a building or an organization as it is commonly known today. Church as it generally exists today is actually a product of the IRS. It has very little in common with the church as described in the New Testament by Jesus or the apostles. In fact, most of what is practiced and observed in churches today has absolutely no New Testament basis. As a result of Rome’s influence, the church became an institution; it has a building, a name, an official membership roll, an elite and distinct class of leadership, a corporate charter and government ID number and a 501.C3 tax status placing them under the control of the Internal Revenue Service. The church of today has become a form of a fraternal organization, thus an institution.
The church Jesus spoke of was very much informal, did not have a building, a membership roster, a separate class of people who exclusively formed the leadership and absolutely no governmental recognition. Jesus described the simplicity of the church:
Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Church literally means, “the gathering; the called out and assembled together ones”. Nothing else is required to be a church because church is simply people meeting together, wherever and whenever they assemble and regardless of how many or how few. It’s not a name, a building, an organization or denomination. It does not require a pastor or clergy, a sermon, a choir, pews, and offering plate, a piano or organ, stained glass windows, a set meeting time or day. In fact, nearly everything that constitutes the modern church has no basis in scripture, except for (as in some cases) the bringing forth the Word and Jesus as Savior, communion and baptism, and even these last two have variations in different denominations.
One consideration that needs to be recognized is that not all cultures will do things the same way so we must be able to accept variables in how believers gather and relate to one another. However, the basic form of church is simply the Lord’s people gathering together and growing in their relationship with God and with one another in love and care. Thus the true church is actually a loving and cohesive family, the sons or children of God the Father, and joint heirs with Christ who calls us His brethren. And never did God or Jesus ordain that His church be divided into two distinct groups of people: the clergy - or the privileged elite, and the laity - the common folk. These two groups are a product of the Roman Catholic Church that is still carried on by the IRS in the Protestant Church.
We must also recognize that the gift ministries given by Jesus in Ephesians 4:11 are not positions but functions that serve a purpose.
Ephesians 4:11-12 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The IRS has made these gifts positions rather than functions; they do so in order have power, and control. However, the IRS refuses to recognize the gifts of apostles and prophets because they do not understand their function and cannot control them. The teachers have been relegated to teaching Sunday School and have no other purpose or leadership role within the IRS. The poor evangelist is out there on his own; he is tolerated and welcomed only to the extent that he helps build the IRS’s field of influence over more people by gathering them in or motivating them to be more involved in following the IRS plan.
We should recognize that God does work in and through any person or group, including an IRS organization to the extent that they use His Word: that’s because it is His Word that He honors, not the person, group or organization. So we see that church as it has existed up through today is has always been used by God to accomplish His purpose, so long as His Word is brought forth; even though it is in the IRS. Besides, many times the IRS is all He has had available to work through, so He uses them only to the extent that He can.
However, much more would be accomplished if the IRS was removed from the people that compose the church. The limitations and restrictions imposed by man’s IRS is the reason why the church ceased “turning the world upside-down” for Christ as did the early church. The power and influence of the church has been greatly diluted because of the IRS. Remove the IRS and the Holy Spirit would be free to move mightily again in and through all believers to function in the gifts and callings that God has ordained and thus have a greater impact on society and the world. This is how it is in the church Christ is building. And it is these kinds of unknown and unrecognized believers that are the greatest movers and shakers for the kingdom of God as His witness in the earth today. Such are those who are portions of the church that are coming out from the IRS and moving more fully into being His church – His Body in the earth.
The material just presented serves to function similar to what the Lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah when defining the work God called him to do:
Jeremiah 1:10 …..to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Today this can be applied to identifying the false church of man (IRS) and embracing the Church Jesus is building with the sowing of the uncorrupted Word of God as precious seed to build the true Body of Christ in which every believer is a servant and minister of the Lord; each employing his or her God given gifts and abilities under His direction and without the oppressive and subjective control of man as in the IRS.
Ephesians 4:13-16 - 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: 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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
To see how a true church service is conducted read 1 Corinthians 14.
Revelation 22:20 – He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
What is required for a true and effective ministry
John Chapter 4 records the events that began when Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman at the well. While reading this portion of scripture recently, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by how the Samaritans responded to Jesus Christ. Therefore I spent time meditating on what occurred in this passage of scripture and what follows is the result of what the Lord revealed aided by a little historical research.
The Samaritans were looked down upon by the Jews as a lesser and separated renegade people who are the remainder of the ten northern tribes of Israel. This separation followed the division of Israel into two kingdoms following the reign of Solomon. As Jesus is traveling through this province He stops at a well and has a conversation with a Samarian woman whom He asks for a drink of water. Their conversation was regarding the worship of God that ends up with Jesus being comfortable enough with her to reveal himself to her as the Messiah. She believes him and then goes into town to tell others and they believe also. Then they come out to meet Jesus and they received him and his teaching.
The reception Jesus received in Samaria is remarkable when compared to his reception in Judea among the Jews with their priests, scribes and Pharisees. The Samaritans believed on Jesus as the Messiah even though no miracles were recorded as being performed by Him there. They even invited Him to stay with them and teach; they received Him and His word. However, the Jews in Judea would not receive Him, or His word, even though He performed numerous miracles before their eyes as evidence of who He is.
John 12:37 - But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
What was the difference between the people of Samaria and those of Judea that made these two peoples respond differently to Jesus? This question seems profound when you consider that both groups of people are descendants of Jacob, (later named Israel), and both have the same religious background based on the Law of Moses and the words of the prophets. Both groups knew that the prophesied Messiah was to come and were expecting him. So why is there a different response to Jesus by each group - one accepting Him while the other rejecting him?
It appears that the big difference between the people of these two regions was that Judea was under the influence and control of an “Institutionalized Religious System” dominated by the Jews and their imposed religious rituals; the Samaritans do not appear to have this strong, Pharisaical influence. (From this point forward the “Institutional Religious System” will be referred to as the IRS.)
In studying the Gospel of John we see the term “Jews” is used sixty-four times. Nearly every time “the Jews” are referred to is an indication that they are the elite, the religious ruling class and authority over “the people”. The people of Judea followed Jesus and listened to his teaching, but later they were persuaded by “the Jews” to reject and oppose him. The Jews also oppressed the people of Judea with their rules and control:
John 9:22 – “……because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
The Jews were those who strictly observed and enforced Judaism, what eventually became the institutionalized religious system (IRS) of Judea. The religious extremism they enforced evolved from the Torah (the Law of Moses) and the writings of the prophets. However, the evolution of Judaism resulted from rituals, practices and religious requirements that men added that were never ordained by God. Since Jesus did not adhere to these additional requirements of the Jews, they opposed him. They constantly criticized, challenged, persecuted and even plotted against Jesus because he did not conform to their established rules, rituals, doctrines and practices. Therefore they felt that he couldn’t possibly be the expected messiah since he didn’t fit “their” religious mold.
The term “Jews” refers to the priests, scribes, Pharisees, and teachers along with the rulers of the temple and synagogues that composed the IRS of Judea. The Samaritans did not have such a hindrance, particularly the Pharisees, to their knowledge of the law and the prophets, so they were able to readily receive Jesus and His words when He came to them. The Samaritans were not under the influence or control of these “Jews”; and this is one reason why the Jews looked down on them as a lesser class of people – even referring to them as “dogs”. Even though the Samaritans did observe the traditional Jewish customs, there is no reference to the presence of the “scribes and Pharisees” that embellished on the Law and Prophets to add rituals and traditions that were observed in Judea; traditions and rituals that even Jesus did not and would not observe.
Why was the established IRS of the Jews so opposed to Jesus? One reason is a matter of their perception of the Messiah. The Jews had no awareness or understanding of who Jesus really was because they had a preconceived perception of what the Messiah would be like when he arrived on the scene. Unfortunately, they assumed that the Messiah would look and act much like them. They looked for one like themselves as they felt that they were the perfect role model for righteousness and that Jesus would fit their pattern of a stoic, rigid and ritualistic law keeper. Since Jesus did not conform to their image of what the Messiah should be like, they could not therefore accept that He is the Messiah, so they rejected him.
These law-keepers imposed harsh judgments for behavior that they determined as being unlawful. They had no concept of mercy, grace, compassion or forgiveness which is what Jesus, the Messiah, came to bring. Jesus said He did not come to judge the world as the Jews were accustomed to doing. Instead he came to bring salvation, forgiveness and restoration to God.
John 12:47 – ...for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
He was functioning, demonstrating and motivated by the Fruit of the Spirit which is the character and nature of God: Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). To the Jews, Jesus did not represent “their” IRS.
Another reason why this brood of leadership could not accept Jesus as the Christ is because they could not control him; they also considered him to be a threat to their positions of authority, influence and control. In fact, he was so much of a threat to their IRS that they wanted to get rid of him rather than accept Him and His word:
John 11:47-48 - Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Mark 14:1 – And after two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
Jesus was considered to be rebellious by the IRS. It is not remarkable then that Christ’s disciples and followers were also a threat to the same IRS, and they too were persecuted and killed in an attempt to stop the spreading of the gospel and the building of the true church:
Acts 4: 16-18 - Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Jesus pronounced a series of “woes” upon those in leadership positions in the IRS.
Matthew 23:13-33 - But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
“Woe” is an exclamation of sorrow, grief or trouble; grief and trouble caused by these leaders and the consequences they will suffer as a result of their actions. Jesus calls them hypocrites and concludes his descriptions of them as being serpents and vipers – deadly poisonous snakes. Clearly Jesus is declaring that such religious leaders are a danger to people’s efforts to follow the Lord.
If Jesus was to walk and work among us today as he did 2000 years, how would he be received? Would it be the same as in Samaria, or would it be like in Judea. I dare say that He would likely experience the same response as He did then by those two groups of people, both who are looking forward to his coming. Why would this be? I pose this question because today we have an established IRS controlled by man who has also added doctrines, rituals and practices that are not ordained of God; and at the same time they have removed some of those vital observances that God has ordained. Jesus would likely be considered to be rebellious by today’s institutional religious system (IRS).
This established IRS is called “church”. However, there is also another group that is not so dominated and controlled by man that is also known as “church”, but it is the church that is HIS BODY, of which and He is the Head, and not man. So we actually have two groups in the world today called “church”. One is the church that man is building, the institutionalized church; the other is the church that Jesus is building - the Body of Christ. Some elements of His church remains within man’s church – (like the tares and wheat mixed and growing together). Those in the IRS have considerable knowledge of Jesus and the Bible, but many of them have not had a genuine heart changing experience with Jesus, or their allegiance is more devoted to their particular branch of the IRS than to Jesus Christ. Their focus is on their “church” or denomination rather than on Christ. This is why they can’t move with His leading, and they reject the input of the Holy Spirit, preferring to run things their own way.
Therefore, if Jesus was to work His works today as He did 2000 years ago He would likely experience the same criticism, challenges, persecution and opposition by the established IRS as He did back then, and this would come primarily from the church that man is building. Why would this happen? ….. because He does not conform to their established rules, rituals, doctrines, and practices, much of which was created and imposed by man, are not of God, and have no true Biblical basis. The leadership of man’s church would not be able to control Him and He would be a threat to their positions of authority, influence and control, (and income); just like it happened 2000 years ago.
So we see that the problem resides in the leadership of the IRS rather than in the people that are subject to their control and influence. Many times the people within the system will accept what Jesus is doing and showing them as they search the scriptures, but they are then “put down” by the leadership of the IRS. If such people choose to pursue what the Lord is showing them and doing, they have to leave the institutionalized system in order to feel free to follow His will. Many such people are those that are in the church that Jesus is building but are also members of man’s institutionalized church. They refuse to leave and, instead, put up with the established leadership’s control; yet they maintain their proper response to what Jesus is doing, saying and leading by His Holy Spirit. They are often criticized and persecuted for their differing views. They are the part of the church that Jesus is building, but they still remain within the church man is building; and they are often compromised by the IRS while trying to bring about a change within it. Some may even be part of the leadership of the IRS but they too will compromise to preserve their position.
John 12:42-43 - Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (Note: compromise such as this by believers is one reason that allows the IRS to maintain control.)
How can this situation be corrected and resolved so that the church is totally ready for the coming of Christ? Since the problem lies in the leadership, let’s take a look at what is required for leadership of His church. Paul identifies such requirements in his letter to Timothy:
1 Timothy 3:1-8 – This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
However, these requirements assume that the person has already qualified as a servant through the process of discipleship as Jesus taught. I have encountered many in positions of church leadership who have never been through the discipleship process which is required to be a servant of the Lord. They may have met man’s qualifications and have been given man’s credentials to be a leader in the church man is building, but they have not qualified to be leaders in the church that Christ is building.
Luke 9:23-25 – And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Matthew 20:25-28 - But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
In order to be a true servant of the Lord one must become “self-less” just as Jesus was. He is our role model for ministry and leadership in His church. Unfortunately, self-less-ness is not taught in the institutions that produce the leadership for the church man is building. Along with doctrine, traditional ministerial students are taught the “how to” of organizing, directing and controlling the organization and its members. Basically, they are directed to build and maintain the church using man’s ways and are not being led or directed by the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent to guide and lead us in the building of His church. They are shown by man how to conceive agendas and work to fulfill them. They can’t be a servant of the Lord and have their own agenda since it would be their own agenda that they will work toward. The result is a church full of programs and entertainment to keep people attending and occupied within the organization.
Not being a true servant under the lordship of Jesus Christ means they are not doing His agenda, but their own; and they can’t be His servant while doing their own thing. Why? ….because it is their work they are doing and not His. He cannot lead them and direct their steps because they have already predetermined what they are going to do and how to do it. Then they ask God to bless their plans. In the IRS they are doing their works in the name of the Lord, but they are doing THEIR work FOR Him.
Initially this sounds very admirable, but that is not how it’s supposed to be done. Jesus does not need people working FOR Him; He is looking for people that He can WORK THROUGH. Jesus said “He would build His church” and He is looking for those who have been disciplined enough to be true servants. True servants are ones that receive directions from their master; they are the ones that He uses to build His church, and they do it His way, by His directives. His servants are ones that He does His work through so He can build it His way; they don’t work for Him – He works through them.
As a result of man building a church using man’s own methods, and not the Lord’s, we have the IRS church. It is full of man’s personalities, doctrines and traditions. Most of these churches are built and established by a man under a man’s name. You even hear people say I go to so-and-so’s church, naming the pastor who is the head of that church, or I go to “such ‘n such” church naming the institution or denomination.
The church that Jesus is building has Jesus as the head of the church and does not focus on the name of a man or the name of an institution or denomination. Also you should notice that the church that man builds generally reflects man’s personality; just like an architect’s qualities are reflected in the buildings he designs. Whereas Jesus’ personality and character is reflected in the church He is building. So now you can see that it is apparent that there are two churches in the world today; the one man is building, and the one Jesus is building.
In Revelation Chapter 3 we see the result of a church that man builds; it can be very successful in the eyes of man and the world; but it is very deficient in the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 3:14-20 – And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Note that Jesus was not even in this church; He was left outside and knocking, asking admission to get in. Obviously those in leadership of the church in Laodicea were no longer true servants of the Lord because they were not being led by the Lord or it would not have become as Christ described it. It may be possible that it began properly as have many today, but reliance on man’s leadership rather than the Lord’s leading allowed them to stray into the paths of human effort resulting in a fleshly organization and congregation.
Let’s get back to what is required for leadership in His church, and we start with Jesus Christ who is our example and the standard by which we are to live and serve. It is vital that we are able to recognize true ministry and ministers, especially in these last days.
Luke 22:25-27 – And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Jesus is the pattern of true ministry, so we need to look at how he operated in order to properly represent Him and His Kingdom here on earth now. All true ministry involves the working of the Holy Spirit in and through those who have been so endowed, as was Jesus. In addition, true ministry is founded on the Fruit of the Spirit, which is the character and nature of God as exhibited through Jesus Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Much of Jesus’ ministry involved supernatural events that we recognize today as Gifts of the Spirit. Those in whom the Fruit of the Spirit is evident are those through which the TRUE Gifts of the Spirit are able to operate.
1 Corinthians 12:7-10 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Please be aware that these Gifts are often counterfeited by Satan which he incorporates to deceive people to bring them into bondage of false doctrines and practices. This is why Jesus gave the warning to beware of false ministry as compared to TRUE ministry.
Matthew 7:15-23 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Look what Jesus has to say about those ministers who are attempting to build His house by their own ways and means:
Matthew 7: 24-27 – Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise (minister) man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish (minister) man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Verses 24-27 refer to the building of up the saints, His church – His house. Those in ministry who do their own thing, (which is iniquity), are building the wrong way and when the storms of life come to those under their ministry, they will not stand firm but will fall. Such ministers are not building on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ and His Word; instead, they are building on their personality, their doctrine and ideas, which is like building on sand.
Jesus knew that in the last days that false prophets and preachers would rely on supernatural manifestations to deceive people and persuade them to follow their false ministry.
Matthew 24:4-5, 24 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
The Gifts of the Spirit are valid, even for today in spite of the teaching of some, but the true gifts operate as a result of the Fruit of the Spirit, namely, the first listed Fruit of Love (charity).
1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:3 – But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
There are two key elements that are required for those who are to be recognized as having a true ministry as servants of the Lord. Both elements are derived from the Fruit of the Spirit: the first is COMPASSION – love or charity; the second is A SERVANT’S HEART – humility and meekness.
Compassion is defined as “to care for” and is a component of love/charity. From the Greek as used in scripture it means: sympathy; pity; inner deep seated concern for another; bowels of mercy; yearning to help or meet their needs; moved by the distress, needs or misfortune of others. Jesus provided the example of compassion, (love in action), as He was moved (motivated) with a loving concern for those he saw in need. In the Old Testament, God’s loving care and kindness was frequently referred to as “His Grace and Mercy that endures forever”. Jesus brought that grace and mercy to us by His compassion:
Matthew 9:36 – But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Matthew 14:14 – And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Matthew 15:32 – Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
Matthew 20:34 – So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
So ministers today are to be moved with compassion; and when they do so the power of God begins to flow through them with the Gifts of the Spirit to meet the needs of those being ministered to.
Jesus also provides us an example of a true servant’s heart in not seeking benefit for Himself, but for the offering of Himself for the benefit of others, in what He can give them or do for them.
Matthew 20:21 – And he said unto her, What wilt thou?….
Matthew 20:25-28 – But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many
Matthew 20:32 – And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
Note that scripture shows that Jesus did nothing for himself; all he did was for the benefit of others. The only time He expressed a concern for Himself was while He was agonizing in the garden over what he knew he was facing on our behalf; nevertheless he yielded to the Father’s divine will and purpose as a true servant.
Jesus demonstrated humility and meekness in his service which is the opposite of the haughtiness and aloofness demonstrated by some well known ministers we have seen in recent history. Ministry without a servant’s heart and compassion for others is a ministry that is self serving; one that is out for personal gain of wealth, position, and recognition, (fame and fortune).
We should also note that Jesus did not do blanket ministry covering everyone, but only to those who came to Him. What He had to offer was not for those who didn’t seek Him. His compassion was on those who followed Him, came to Him, and asked of Him and sought Him out.
Matthew 7:7-8 – Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
From this we learn that not all people will receive of what the Lord has to offer, so don’t try to force the Word or the gospel on those who are not open to it, as the manner of some is in efforts to evangelize.
The work of ministry consists of meeting needs of others – physically, spiritually, financially; instructing in right living and in growing to spiritual maturity and conformity to Christ; and in comforting and encouraging. True ministry is to serve others and requires compassion.
1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Jude 22 – And of some have compassion, making a difference:
As mentioned before, a true minister is a servant, and a servant is self-less; he has died to his own self will and self determination. (This requirement goes completely against what is commonly taught today as the “can do” philosophy of success, prosperity and make your own way in life.) Being selfless means you do not exercise your own will and desires; instead, you die to them. It’s called denying self. Then you are able to follow the will and directives of the one that you recognize as your master – Jesus Christ the Lord.
Jesus is our example: He did not have His own agenda but followed the directives of His Heavenly Father. (This is also why He spent much time in prayer and communion with God in the early hours each day; to know what His Father wants done that day.) Jesus was the prefect servant; He was selfless, empty of self-will and desires except to serve his Father and do God’s will. Thus Jesus could truthfully say, If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father. Jesus did nothing to serve himself; he came to serve, or to minister to, us.
John 5:19 – Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
John 12:44-45 - Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
Those who are called of the Lord to serve Him in ministry and to build His church must be disciples in order to become servants; selfless, empty of their own desires and their own will, in order to be directed by the Lord Jesus in the building of His church and equipping the saints. They follow Jesus’ example:
1 Peter 2:21 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
The result of their labors will be a church that will hear the Word of the Lord when He speaks by His Spirit; they will be endued with power and ability to do His work and the results will reflect Him. This produces a church without spot or wrinkle, the one that Jesus is coming back for.
Hopefully the institutionalized church can also become responsive to the Holy Spirit and the leading of the Lord, but only if the leadership will set aside those things taught by man and their reliance on man’s control and maintenance of their own crafted organization, doctrines, rituals and practices.
True and proper leadership in the church will not dominate or control as being lord’s over Christ’s congregation, but rather will be servants to it, to nurture and rear it up. Such leadership is to set the example of a Christ centered life for the congregation to follow:
1 Peter 5:3 - Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
The leadership of His church lives this way and encourages the saints to follow their example. Paul said he and his team of ministers had set the example:
2 Thessalonians 3:7 - For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
The apostle Paul instructed young Timothy, as a leader, to be an example:
1 Timothy 4:12 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
The apostle Paul summed it up quite completely how every believer is to live:
Philippians 3:17 – Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
The proper role of a servant to be a minister to, and in, the Lord’s church requires selflessness and then satisfying the requirements that Paul described in behavior and mode of living. Deny self, which is to eliminate self will, selfishness, which is also frequently referred to in scripture as “the flesh”, “the old man”, and “the old nature”.
Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Jesus gave the command not to follow false leadership:
Matthew 7:15-16, 20 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
The fruit Jesus is referring to here is not man’s works, but rather, the Fruit of the Spirit; (this is redundant but it is so import that it needs to be repeated again):
Galatians 5:22-24 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
This fruit is the character and nature of God that is also in Christ; it is the result of applying Galatians 2:20 and making that your way of life; (note that the flesh, or self, is crucified, put to death - verse 24). The false prophets, teachers and ministers are missing this fruit. They would rather have you look at their works, including signs and wonders performed by them:
Matthew 7:22-23 - Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?3And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Note: the enemy can do signs and wonders too, but he can’t duplicate the character and nature of God – the Fruit of the Spirit. That’s why Jesus said to look for the “fruit” – His character and nature in those that minister and provide leadership in the church. Note also that Jesus said these “many” also work iniquity. Iniquity means “doing your own thing” which is a form of rebellion; not following His leading.
What is the most significant requirement to being a servant? - He must be able to hear his master’s voice. Why is this so important? A servant must be able to hear his master’s voice in order to follow his will and do his master’s bidding. Traditionally, those who are called by God into His service are usually trained for the ministry by man’s institutions of learning: bible schools and seminaries that are run by man’s IRS. Here they are taught and trained for leadership by teachers of the established religious system (IRS) on how to propagate that same system. They are taught by those who depend on man’s techniques and methods, and these instructors generally do not know how to hear the master’s voice in order to be directed by Him; so how can they be qualified to teach others to HEAR HIM?
This is an absence of the most essential ingredient to being a servant of the Lord – hearing his voice. How then are they going to teach and train new leadership how to hear the master’s voice, the ingredient that is required in order to be directed by Him in the building of His church (house). Again, Jesus is our example:
John 5:30 – I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
This is much like the reference to Martha and Mary. Martha was very diligent in ministering; but Mary chose something, which at that moment, was much more important. Jesus acknowledged that being able to hear Him was more important than just being busy ministering as many do today:
Luke 10:38-42 – “.......and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving (ministry), and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve (minister) alone? Bid her therefore that she help me (minister). And Jesus said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many (lesser important) things: but one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (parentheses added).
Jesus was actually rebuking Martha for trying to do “her” ministry during the same time that Jesus was “ministering”. She should have stopped and listened to Him. Without hearing the master’s directions, man is left to his own accord in building the church. Thus we have the results as mentioned in Revelation 3:14-19, the Church of Laodicea to which this notice as given:
Revelation 3:22 – “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Consider what happens to those who don’t have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Obviously they miss out on what Christ wants them to hear and do. So what are the consequences of not being a selfless true servant of the Lord and of not hearing and following His directives in building His church - (His House)? Those who hear and follow His instructions are building His house (the church ) on rock. Those who do not hear His voice but employ man’s institutionalized training and techniques are not obedient or directed by Him and end up building their version of His house on sand.
Matthew 7:24-27 – “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
The question to ask in regards to this passage is; whose house are we building? Since the last part of this chapter seems to deal with those who present themselves as leadership of the Lord’s people and the work of the ministry of teaching and preaching His Word in His name, it appears that Jesus is referring to His house that is being built by His servants.
Another consideration regarding being a true servant of the Lord is that they do not do their service for a pay check as do the professional clergy of the IRS. I know that this will be hard to accept but the reason is clear as can be: the one who pays you controls you. Jesus made it clear that you cannot serve God and make that service your occupation or vocation. Why, because you would have to compromise His Word and His directives for the demands of the people or organization that pays your wages. This is a main reason why we have the messed up IRS we have today; it’s due to dependence on a salary and the manipulation and control by those who pay it – resulting in the “professional clergy”. This eliminates the freedom to hear from the Lord and speak His words; especially if those words go contrary to the doctrines, rituals and practices of the established IRS, organization, denomination or church that pays ones salary.
Luke 16:13 - “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
It is also apparent that the IRS requires that it, the church, its name, its system or program, becomes the central focus of Christian life. Though this sounds good, it is error, and the same one that the Jews promoted two thousand years ago – allegiance to the system. In the church that Christ is building, He is the center and focus of attention and not the church organization or the religious system. His church is the result of a life centered on Him, and Him alone. Church, then, is the by-product of those who intimately know and follow Him and not man’s system of organized, institutionalized religion.
This article will likely offend many who are comfortable in the IRS that many refer to as church; but the purpose of this article is to provoke self examination of what is believed, practiced and carried on traditionally, and to get Christians to focus on Christ and to follow the leading and examples of those who are God’s true servants; servants who have paid a high price to be qualified as His servants who DO NOT live off of the flock.
Read Ezekiel 34 to see what God has to say about the religious institution created by the Jews. It’s important to recognize that there are many similarities with today’s IRS, and people within it need to get out and follow the true shepherds and servants; or demand change within their institution to bring it back to the way God intended it to be – His temple and dwelling place. His temple does not refer to a church building at all because Jesus said He does not live in a temple built by human hands; His people are His temple and His dwelling place:
1 Corinthians 3:16 - Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
True servants are Christ’s ambassadors and not much like the professional clergy, most of who continue parroting and propagating the traditions of man’s doctrines and practices; some of which have their origins in ancient pagan practices.
It is our prayer that godly and self-less leadership will come forth according to the requirements as set forth in the Bible; those who hear and follow the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ and the leading of His Holy Spirit to guide His people into being the Church that Christ is building. It is also our prayer is that people will be as the Samaritans and respond to Jesus and His Word by receiving Him with a whole heart and mind so that the church will be as the Samaritans were, ready to receive Christ when He comes.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
EPILOGUE
Warning: the following supplement will be offensive to those in the IRS, nevertheless it must be brought out or I would be failing in the task the Lord has assigned to me and others in dealing with this end-time condition of the church.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Recognizing that there are currently two churches in the world today, one built by man (the IRS) and the other built by Christ, is important to identify which one you are in and which one you want to be part of. Is it possible that the two can become one? This would require the IRS church of man to yield up their control, their positions, false doctrines and traditions in order to submit to the Lordship of Christ as the true and sole Head of the Church. Can the IRS be changed?
This may not be possible! Why? ….consider that Jesus was not able to change the Jews of His day; thus the IRS remained intact to conspire His death. However, there were some of the Jews that did believe on Him such as Nicodemus. Nicodemus became a believer and remained in the system for a while; but, most likely he ended up having to leave. Other believing Jews also had to leave the IRS and became part of His body of believers – His church. More than likely we will not be able to change the entire leadership of the IRS, but some may come out of it; however, they need to be encouraged or they may experience the result of compromise that such leaders did when they believed on Jesus two thousand years ago.
John 12:42-43 - Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
We can appeal for them individually to come out of the IRS and move in and with the church Christ is building.
To more accurately describe the two churches in the world today is to recognize that one is of God and the other is of man. One represents Christ, and the other is the false church of man, an imitation or counterfeit fostering deception and deceiving those that are within it.
As we draw closer to the return of Christ, the differences between the two will become more pronounced; so much so that opposition will arise. Most likely, the IRS will employ state or government protection through laws and regulations while at the same time try to outlaw the true church Christ is building. How can this happen? Just like it did in Jesus’ time! The IRS of the Jews obtained government recognition as the official religious system of the land. They were then able to employ the government’s political and legislative system, the Roman leaders, to kill Jesus and to persecute the church and kill Christians. This grew to the point that killing Christians became a sport, a source of entertainment in Rome featured in the coliseum.
The false church, (originating as Roman Catholic), that began as political Rome disintegrated, picked up much of Rome’s pagan practices and added considerably more false doctrines and changed Christian beliefs and formed new traditions. It also appears to have picked up the mantle of the Caesars in the form of the pope, and then continued to carry on the practice of killing the true believers for centuries. Jesus gave the apostle John the warning of the destructiveness of the IRS – the false church which operates under the influence of the spirit of antichrist.
1 John 2:18-22 – Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
Putting Mary above Christ as the intercessor, and making the priest as the forgiver of sins, is denying Christ of His position and who He is as is done in the Church of Rome. Consider also where antichrist operates: not in the world which is already under the influence of Satan, but in church where he masquerades as the Holy Spirit, albeit – the counterfeit.
Could it be possible that the IRS has created the great whore, a phase of the mystery (mystical) Babylon, mentioned in the Book of Revelation? Several descriptions of it are recorded in the Book of Revelation and in Foxes Book of Martyrs as killer of the saints and reveal that it is likely describing the Church of Rome.
Revelation 17:1 – And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Note: The Pope of Rome has ruled over and influenced the kings of the earth for centuries. Also note that “fornication” refers to perverted worship by people who claim to be God’s people. This term was frequently used of the people of Israel when they turned from God to worship idols and observe pagan religions practices. However, we must also recognize that the Church of Rome had offspring – the harlot had daughters.
Revelation 17:5-6 - And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
This reference to “harlots” likely refers to the Protestant church that sprang out of Rome as a result of the Reformation. They eliminated much error and some pagan practices; nevertheless, they also continued with much that originated in Rome that is not biblical – thus they are the offspring of Rome, the harlot daughters. Why? …because they still carry on man’s rule over the people and many man made false doctrines and practices. Fortunately they incorporated faith in the blood of Jesus for salvation, rejected the Pope, Mary worship and idols, but they kept many other things that are not biblical; especially the Nicolaitan form of church hierarchy, the clergy, the rule and government by man that the early church did not have and thrived without:
Revelation 2:15 – So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
The church that man is building includes much of the Protestant sect also; and it doesn’t stop there either. Yes, they preach Christ and use His Word; but, they mix error, false doctrines, rituals and practices in with the truth. Mixing error with truth means you no longer have TRUTH. Like a cancer, the error grows and kills the truth if not cut out. The church Christ is building does not tolerate a mixture of error with truth.
John 4:23-24 - But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
It may help to understand how the false church could possibly be referred to as the mystery Babylon. Babylon, as mentioned several times in the Book of Revelation appears to refer to different entities, each of which has some form of identification with Babylon. Mystery Babylon is actually “mystical” Babylon which indicates a mystic, mysterious or occultic form. This would apply to a religious system that engages in superstitions and practices with pagan origins and false doctrines that are held aloof from the people by its leaders and reported to be only understood by those in authority of the system. This perfectly describes the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, the word Babylon refers to the place of Babel which means “confusion”. Confusion is the result of mixing truth with error as is done in the IRS of the Roman church and its spin-offs. This IRS will be judged and destroyed:
Revelation 17:18 - And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Revelation 19:1-2 - And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
The question to ponder is: can the IRS be changed or must people be brought to the realization that it is the false church and they have to abandon it. If, indeed, the IRS church of today is the great whore and her daughters, then Christ is calling His people to leave it before it is judged as stated in scripture:
Revelation 18:4-5 – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Believers, it’s time to heed the Lord’s warning and get out of the IRS and into His Body fully and without compromise. Be part of His church, the only one without spot or wrinkle.
Ephesians 5:25-27 – Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Note: “spots” imply sins, dirty stains, bad habits, even wrong traditions or practices; and “wrinkle” implies old age or an old system that has no vibrant spiritual life – lacking the life of the vine that renews and refreshes daily. Both seem to refer to the IRS.
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Nowhere in the New Testament of the Bible does it say that the church is a building or an organization as it is commonly known today. Church as it generally exists today is actually a product of the IRS. It has very little in common with the church as described in the New Testament by Jesus or the apostles. In fact, most of what is practiced and observed in churches today has absolutely no New Testament basis. As a result of Rome’s influence, the church became an institution; it has a building, a name, an official membership roll, an elite and distinct class of leadership, a corporate charter and government ID number and a 501.C3 tax status placing them under the control of the Internal Revenue Service. The church of today has become a form of a fraternal organization, thus an institution.
The church Jesus spoke of was very much informal, did not have a building, a membership roster, a separate class of people who exclusively formed the leadership and absolutely no governmental recognition. Jesus described the simplicity of the church:
Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Church literally means, “the gathering; the called out and assembled together ones”. Nothing else is required to be a church because church is simply people meeting together, wherever and whenever they assemble and regardless of how many or how few. It’s not a name, a building, an organization or denomination. It does not require a pastor or clergy, a sermon, a choir, pews, and offering plate, a piano or organ, stained glass windows, a set meeting time or day. In fact, nearly everything that constitutes the modern church has no basis in scripture, except for (as in some cases) the bringing forth the Word and Jesus as Savior, communion and baptism, and even these last two have variations in different denominations.
One consideration that needs to be recognized is that not all cultures will do things the same way so we must be able to accept variables in how believers gather and relate to one another. However, the basic form of church is simply the Lord’s people gathering together and growing in their relationship with God and with one another in love and care. Thus the true church is actually a loving and cohesive family, the sons or children of God the Father, and joint heirs with Christ who calls us His brethren. And never did God or Jesus ordain that His church be divided into two distinct groups of people: the clergy - or the privileged elite, and the laity - the common folk. These two groups are a product of the Roman Catholic Church that is still carried on by the IRS in the Protestant Church.
We must also recognize that the gift ministries given by Jesus in Ephesians 4:11 are not positions but functions that serve a purpose.
Ephesians 4:11-12 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The IRS has made these gifts positions rather than functions; they do so in order have power, and control. However, the IRS refuses to recognize the gifts of apostles and prophets because they do not understand their function and cannot control them. The teachers have been relegated to teaching Sunday School and have no other purpose or leadership role within the IRS. The poor evangelist is out there on his own; he is tolerated and welcomed only to the extent that he helps build the IRS’s field of influence over more people by gathering them in or motivating them to be more involved in following the IRS plan.
We should recognize that God does work in and through any person or group, including an IRS organization to the extent that they use His Word: that’s because it is His Word that He honors, not the person, group or organization. So we see that church as it has existed up through today is has always been used by God to accomplish His purpose, so long as His Word is brought forth; even though it is in the IRS. Besides, many times the IRS is all He has had available to work through, so He uses them only to the extent that He can.
However, much more would be accomplished if the IRS was removed from the people that compose the church. The limitations and restrictions imposed by man’s IRS is the reason why the church ceased “turning the world upside-down” for Christ as did the early church. The power and influence of the church has been greatly diluted because of the IRS. Remove the IRS and the Holy Spirit would be free to move mightily again in and through all believers to function in the gifts and callings that God has ordained and thus have a greater impact on society and the world. This is how it is in the church Christ is building. And it is these kinds of unknown and unrecognized believers that are the greatest movers and shakers for the kingdom of God as His witness in the earth today. Such are those who are portions of the church that are coming out from the IRS and moving more fully into being His church – His Body in the earth.
The material just presented serves to function similar to what the Lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah when defining the work God called him to do:
Jeremiah 1:10 …..to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Today this can be applied to identifying the false church of man (IRS) and embracing the Church Jesus is building with the sowing of the uncorrupted Word of God as precious seed to build the true Body of Christ in which every believer is a servant and minister of the Lord; each employing his or her God given gifts and abilities under His direction and without the oppressive and subjective control of man as in the IRS.
Ephesians 4:13-16 - 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: 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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
To see how a true church service is conducted read 1 Corinthians 14.
Revelation 22:20 – He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.