SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO HELP THE MAN OF GOD

Proclamation:

“As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.  When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it.  Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on one side, one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”  Exodus 17:11-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  While the Israelites were camped by the place called Rephidim, the Amalekites came and attacked them. (Exodus 17:8)  Moses sent Joshua and some of the men out to fight them.  Moses said that he would stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God and raise his hands. (Exodus 17:9-10)  Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill with him.  By raising up his hands, whether in prayer or praise, Moses acknowledged that The Lord God is in control.  When Moses grew tired physically from holding up his arms and hands, they helped him by holding up his hands.

Application:

Pastors, preachers, ministers, and all men of God are human and from time to time they need a little help.  The may need physical help during illness of periods of weakness, or they may need psychological and emotional help.  Even the strong men among us occasionally needs, and appreciates, a little encouragement. (Deuteronomy 1:38 and 3:28)  We have heard about “the Amen corner” in church, that small group of supporters who offer encouragement to the preacher when he is presenting The Word of God.  They do a good work.  A pat on the back, and telling him that the message he delivered helped you, can mean a lot to the man of God.  A kind word spoken to him every now and then can help him to keep on going. (2 Chronicles 10:7)  Actually, it is The Holy Spirit of God who is doing the work but He is just using and working through a human vessel to accomplish it.  When we help the man of God, we are helping God’s program.  There is a special blessing in store for those who give the man of God a glass of water. (Matthew 10:41-42)  When we help him, he is able to help others and advance the kingdom of God here on earth.  We get so much from them and occasionally it would just be nice to give them a little help and encouragement.

IT PAYS TO BE GENEROUS TO GOD'S PEOPLE

Proclamation:

“So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives.  Is not the whole land before you?  Let’s part company.  If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.’  Lot looked around and saw the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of The Lord … So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east.”  Genesis 13:8-11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Abram left his father’s household and country, he went to the land of Canaan near Bethel where he pitched his tent and built an alter. (Genesis 12:4-8)  In order to avoid the famine in the land, Abram went down to Egypt for a while where he lied and said that his wife Sarai was his sister so that the Egyptians would not kill him and take her. (Genesis 12:10-20)  He returned to Bethel with more than he had when he left, and his herds and Lot’s herds were so large that the land could not support them both. (Genesis 13:1-6)  When quarreling started between Abram’s herders and Lot’s herders, Abram told Lot to choose the part of the land that he wanted, and he would take the other side.  Abram was generous and let Lot have the best part of his land.  After Lot left, The Lord spoke to Abram and blessed him saying that all of the land that he could see, in all directions, would be his. (Genesis 13:14-18)

Application:

All separations are not bad.  Sometimes it is better to separate yourself from some people in order to keep the peace.  The children of God are to be peacemakers. (Matthew 5:9)  It is also good to be generous when you give to God’s people.  The Bible says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you.” (Luke 6:38)  By giving, we shall receive; and as we give, so shall we receive.  The Bible also says that the generous person will be made rich, and he that blesses others will himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)  By giving generously to God’s people, we will be blessed.

BE CONSIDERATE AND HUMBLE WHEN YOU HELP AND SHARE

Proclamation:

“Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos … had been instructed in the way of The Lord … he spoke with great fervor … though he knew only the baptism of John.  He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.  When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately … he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the scriptures that Jesus was The Messiah.”  Acts 18:24-28 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that in Corinth Paul met a Jewish believer named Aquila and his wife Priscilla.  Because Aquila was also a tent-maker, Paul stayed with them. (Acts 18:1-4) After a year and a half, Paul left Corinth (Acts 18:11) for Syria and Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him. (Acts 18:18-19)  However, when they arrived at Ephesus Paul left Priscilla and Aquila and went on alone.  It was here in Ephesus that the met Apollos, a Jewish believer, who was knowledgeable in the scriptures.  Priscilla and Aquila had learned about Jesus, The Christ, from Paul when he stayed with them and privately they shared what they knew with Apollos, an eloquent speaker, and helped him to become even better.

Application:

None of us knows everything, especially about Jesus, The Christ.  Those who heard the apostles preach learned a lot, and those who hear the Man of God preach today can learn a lot.  Those who also read and study The Word of God regularly will learn even more than those who don’t.  However, we should be very careful regarding how we share that which we know with those who are less informed.  The goal is to help edify others and not to put them down publicly or in private.  The purpose is not to show off how much we know, but to enhance the knowledge of others.  Every serious Bible student is not necessarily a good teacher.  If we cannot help someone with what we know, then our knowledge is useless.  Be humble when you help.

THE LORD GOD WILL NOT FORGET OUR GOOD WORK AND OUR HELP OF OTHERS

Proclamation:

“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.  We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.  We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”  Hebrews 6:10-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by an unknown human author under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter the author urges the people of God to move on “from milk to meat,” from the elementary teachings of God to the more mature doctrine. (Hebrews 6:1-2)  He then begins to discuss those who have been enlightened by The Word of God and then fallen away. (Hebrews 6:4-8)  Although The Bible makes it clear that once we are saved, we cannot lose our salvation.  We cannot be taken out of the hand of God. (John 10:27-29)  Then he goes on to say that The Lord God will not forget their good works. (Hebrews 6:9-12)  He concludes the chapter by encouraging them to persevere in faith because of the certainty of God’s promise. (Hebrews 6:13-17)

Application:

The Lord God knows everything about everything, and He remembers all that we do.  We are encouraged to do good so that men can see our good works and give God glory. (Matthew 5:16)  Our good works will not save us.  Our salvation is based upon our belief in Christ.  However, we will be rewarded for doing good works when we have to give an account of our stewardship. (Luke 16:2 and Matthew 25: 21 and 23)  The Lord considers the good that we do to those who are in need as if we had done it unto Him. (Matthew 25:35-40)  So, keep on doing good works and helping God’s people and we will receive God’s promise.