Reading: Ordained to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing (The Video Slides)

Ren Broekhuizen

 Acts 6: 3, “ Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.”

 Acts 13: 2, “ While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”

 Ordained because of your ability.

I John 2: 27, “ As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”

Ephesians 4: 11, 12, “ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God’s people….”

 Ordained to lead people of ability.

 Acts 20: 28, “ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

 James 3: 1, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

 Ordained people are held to a higher standard.

 I Timothy 4: 16, “ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

 II Timothy 2: 3, “ Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”  

 Ordained people are called to a difficult work.

 Matthew 11: 18, 19, “ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

 Ordained people are open to misunderstanding.

 Luke 19: 10, “ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

 Acts 6: 8, “ Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.”

 Acts 8: 35, ^“ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”

Ordained people pursue Jesus’ goal.

Colossians 3: 17, “ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Ordained people strive for excellence.