The Word
Bible Verses
1Cor 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. 1Pet 1:23 Having been regenerated not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, through the living and abiding word of God. John 7:38 He who believes into Me, as the Scripture said, out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. 39 But this He said concerning the Spirit…
Words of Ministry
To plant is to minister life and impart life to someone who is spiritually dead so that this person may become living. When life is imparted to a person dead in sins, he becomes a living plant. Because Paul imparted life to the Corinthians, he was their father in Christ. In 4:15 he says, “For though you have ten thousand guides in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” Before Paul came to Corinth, the Corinthians were not plants. On the contrary, they were dead sinners. But when Paul visited them, he imparted life to them, and they became living plants. This is the first aspect of planting. In the church life we must learn not only how to plant, but also how to water. Actually, watering others is very easy. Suppose a saint [believer] comes to you with a problem. Do not Try to solve this person’s problem. Actually, we are not able to solve others’ problems. Do you not have many problems of your own which are not yet solved? Since you have not solved your own problems, how do you expect to help others with their problems? Thus, in watering the saints, we should forget about trying to solve their problems. God is our Father, and eventually He will take care of all the problems. The crucial matter is the watering. According to my experience, the best way to water others is to pray-read a few verses with them. For example, a brother may present a problem concerning his job or family life. Instead of touching the problem, pray-read the Word with him. Sometimes it is sufficient simply to pray with that one. By praying the other person is brought to the Lord, and we are brought into the Lord in a deeper way. As a result, both parties are watered.
(c) LSM
Hatred Towards Truth pt. 2
Mark 12
10 And have you not read this Scripture (refers to Psalms 118:22–23); The Stone which the builders (the spiritual leaders of Israel) rejected (He was not the type of Messiah they wanted) is become the Head of the Corner (the “Corner” represents the Corner Stone which is the pivot point for the structure; Christ is the Head of the Church, and of the Work of God, due to what He did at the Cross [Zech. 4:7]):
11 This was the Lord’s doing (refers to the Great Plan of God, which necessitated God becoming flesh and dwelling among men, in order to bring about the Redemption of man), and it is marvellous in our eyes? (It wasn’t marvelous in the eyes of Israel of Jesus’ day, and the results were awful. As the Church, we should take a lesson, in what He has done. It had better be marvelous in our eyes.)
12 And they sought to lay hold on Him (they were growing even more incensed at Him), but feared the people (whatever they did, would have to be done in secret): for they knew that He had spoken the Parable against them (He predicted that they would kill Him and, as well, what would happen to them; God would destroy them!; but still they wouldn’t turn around): and they left Him, and went their way (they definitely didn’t go His Way).
~JSM Expositor’s
Why is there so much hatred against Truth? As we look in the world today, we see much hatred and division against one another simply because one disagrees with another or because the media or people have painted a false image of another according to deception and evil within the hearts. What is the cause of this? Well as we look at the Scriptures above, we see Jesus, the Christ, who was Truth as according to God’s Word, healed many diseases, exposed error, was a great Teacher but yet men reviled and hated Him. It was due to the hearts of mankind which is bent on evil constantly. This evil within man gave occasion for the Lord to destroy the world during the time of Noah.
The Pharisees and Religious leaders were okay with Christ up until Christ started confronting and correcting error as according to the Word of God. These Pharisees were being exposed as changing the truth of God’s Word into a lie, Christ exposed the hidden agendas of their religious hearts and the hypocrisy in their lives simply by preaching and living the Truth of God’s Word.
The people living under the religious rule of these Pharisees and Sadducee, thought the doctrines they taught were correct until Christ came on the scenes. Christ presence revealed what was in their hearts, murder, hatred, lying, adultery….etc.
Oftentimes, situations and the correcting of error and the exposure of hidden agendas bring out what lies in the hearts of men. Many of us prefer to be a cheat, an idolater, we want to commit adultery/fornication or act on our lustful desires and when circumstances pressure us in order to expose what is in our hearts, we oftentimes lash out against those who simply are correcting the wrong. Paul states ” Am I your enemy because I tell you the Truth?” Galatians 4:19
If the presence of individuals cause you to hate, despise, divide, exhibit the works of the flesh as found in Galatians 5:19-21, then the problem is not with the individual nor the circumstance, the problem is the evil within your heart. The Pharisees’ hatred towards Christ, caused them to plot scheme and crucify an innocent Man. What has the evil within you caused you to do against the plan and Will of God for your life? God is more concerned about the issues within your heart and your response to life situations than the circumstances/people He uses to reveal it. Truth/Light comes to expose evil, error and darkness. Are you receptive of Truth or fighting to hold on to your own beliefs/biases? How you view Christ will determine your response.
~Shonette