Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
The Purpose & Mission of Ministry
Ephesians 4:7-16 

v12"... to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."  
Practice what you preach- this is how the disciples lived. Matthew Chapter 4 is where the disciples first meet Jesus. During Jesus’ life on Earth, he called twelve special men who immediately got up as soon as Jesus said “Come, Follow Me”, left all their possessions and followed Christ diligently. Jesus prepared the hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit to spread the Word and love of our Father. Each of the disciples went out in the world to preach, to tell the message of Jesus to every person they could have reached to. The disciples didn’t just learn about the Word, they also practiced what they preach.

As individuals prepare to work and serve in church, they should do it with joy and determination to ensure everyone receives the Good News. In Acts 5: 41-42 it states: “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” In Ephesians 4, Paul does not state we will be comfortable while spreading the Word. Even if we work joyfully, we need to realize that the journey won’t be easy. We need to lean on God to give us the knowledge and resources in order to complete our mission. Praying to God for strength and Jesus’ presence in our lives is mandatory in order to be fruitful in building the church.
PRAYER
Help us to be faithful to You even when the road to spreading Your Word won’t be easy.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Purpose without preparation is meaningless. – Andrena Sawyer
Stacy Mathew, St. John’s MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more