The World – Trust God, love everyone, April 10, 2025

     “Intercession is the hardest work in the world—the giving of one's self, time, strength, energy, and attention to the needs of others in a way that no one but God sees, no one but God will do anything about, and no one but God will ever reward you for." (Elisabeth Elliot)

     Jesus said: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Mt 6:6)

     Both of these go a long way in helping us understand why the New Testament church, being led by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, was able to endure in the time of persecution after the resurrection of Jesus and spread the good news of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire.

     Very simple. They loved and trusted God and only other believers that were “devoted to the apostle’s teaching, fellowship, communion and prayer. They met and shared everything, every day with each other and all their needs were met with no needy persons among them – and the Lord added to their number everyday those that were being saved”.

     “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders, make them most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer every one.” (Col 4:5-6) 

     Because they chose to trust only those who listened and obeyed the words of Jesus. “If anyone would come after Me, they must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.” (Lk 9:23). The fruit of their faithful obedience to God and their fellowship was that they had no needs, even for revenge, and could love everyone that were still ‘of the world’.

     Jesus said: “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16). He did not say: “For God so loved the ‘church’– He said the ‘world.”    

    The Body of Christ which is testimony to the New Testament church families being served through the God appointed offices of the five-fold ministry. (Eph 4:11-16, 1 Cor 12:12-28) 

    “Now you are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it . If one part suffers, the whole Body suffers.  If one part is honored, the whole body rejoices.” (1 Cor:12:26-27) 

    Jesus said “the Father will send the Holy Spirit to teach us all things and remind us of everything that I have said to you.” (Jn 14:26) 

    When Jesus returns there will be one Church held together globally through true believers that have submitted to the Father's will entrusted to us through obedience to God's Word and through the teaching and power of the Holy Spirit.

     Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)