Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 12, 2022: SOAP #4513:  1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 12:12 The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance….
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

OBSERVATION: Here is Paul’s explanation an apostle’s ministry.  It is obviously one of oversight but signs, wonders and miracles are a major part.  It is not that they happened once or twice, but they continue to be seen in that ministry.   And from the context of these verses, an apostle does not exploit or take advantage of those seeking out his ministry.  The purpose of an apostle is for the church, not for selfish gain.

APPLICATION: I am not an apostle, but the purpose of the ministry God has given me is not for my gain, but the strengthening of others.  A gift of ministry has been given to me to make me useful.  If I am useful, I will be used.  If I am used, it is easy to get tired of being used.  But if I cannot be used, I will be useless.  It is much worse to feel useless than to feel used!   With age should come maturity.  It should be easy for people to use me.

NOTE:  Biblical titles are not words of value, but words of function.  Everyone in the church has the same value, being bought by the same sacrifice of Jesus, but we all have different functions.  Some functions, like leadership, require a measure of authority in order to fulfill their purpose.  Authority is a tool God gives to make a person more useful.  It is not for personal benefit, but the benefit of those they are called to serve.  (This is especially true of fathers/parents whose purpose is to serve their families.) 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, may the temptation of feeling used, be replaced with the joy of being useful, to You and Your church.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon