zoe ministries
GL Garden 01-21-02, Solok Paya Terubong 8, 11060 Penang, Malaysia
House Phone: 604-8277554 Hand Phone: 60165318276.
Email: cvs3zoe@yahoo.com
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Dear Friends and partners,
We greet you in Jesus Name; the most precious name and the only name given to all people on earth. Only through that name we can have salvation.
Friends, we thank you for standing with us through your prayers when we were in Thailand. Thailand is in a troubled state; divided as “Reds’ and “Yellows” just like the Church of Jesus Christ is divided by denominations.
I have been observing for some time that pastors of churches like to use the word “Touch not the anointed ones” to protect themselves. If any member questions them then they are accused as rebelling against leadership and touching the anointed ones. Before I go further I want to say that I have seen true shepherds who diligently care for and protect and lead their flock [there are very few of such shepherds around –I greatly honor such shepherds] but I am also aware of those who call themselves shepherds but are “wolves who feed on lambs” and “bosses” who lord over their people. True shepherds will be rewarded and wolves and “bosses” will be destroyed.
What does this verse means and to whom it is applied?
1 Chronicles 16:22 (NKJV) 22 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.”
Abraham and the patriarchs were not literally anointed with oil as though they were entering the priesthood or kingship. In this context, anointed ones means those set apart for God’s service. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the whole of Israel was anointed [set apart]. prophets: Though the office of prophet as a “professional” calling began with Samuel, there were individuals from the earliest days of biblical history who were known as prophets. The reference here is specifically to Abraham, who is called a prophet in Gen. 20:7, This was the first occurrence of the word in the Bible.
Genesis 20:7 (NKJV) 7 Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”
The above verse can be applied to all of God’s people and not just some church leaders.
Exalt their position and themselves
2 Kings 2:12 (NKJV) 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.
Recently a pastor taught the people to call their pastors “father” because this is how they address their senior pastor. This is how Elisha called Elijah. I am wondering if the papal system is coming back fully to the present church. I have already seen such signs in the present church.
Terrify the members
These are the ones who control and manipulate and put fear in the hearts of the people. It is not the fear of God but the fear of the leaders. These are the Talibans who terrorise the people of God. They like to use scriptures such as below to put fear in the hearts of people.
Numbers 12:1-3 (NKJV) Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 So they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)
Numbers 12:9-13 (NKJV) 9 So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed. 10 And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper. 11 So Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned. 12 Please do not let her be as one dead, whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb!” 13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “Please heal her, O God, I pray!”
Observe how Moses responded
Num 12:13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “Please heal her, O God, I pray!”
Moses was a man of God who loved God and loved people. When it was a matter concerning God and His word; Moses stood boldly like a lion. But when it was an accusation against him; he fell flat on his face before God. God defended him. I believe this is the standard Church leaders should follow and not try to defend themselves.
Consider the Words of the Greatest Minister.
Matthew 23:8-12 (NKJV) 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
If He is Lord of our lives then we should follow His example.
Paul did.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Lucifer exalted himself and his position
Isaiah 14:12-13 (NKJV) 12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
Honor your elders
1 Timothy 5:17-21 (NKJV) 17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. 21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
Honor is not double salute but double pay to take care of the needs of those who teach the Word of God with integrity of heart.
Elders [matured leaders –who could be moving in any of the following gifting –Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers, who use their God given gifting to teach and equip the local church should be supported with tithes and offerings. It is the responsibility of believers who are being spiritually fed by ministers of the gospel to support them financially. A Christian minister who has been faithful in preaching the Word of God should have his needs and the needs of his family well taken care of by the church. It is the spiritual responsibility of the local churches to make sure that they are faithful in supporting God’s work.
The truth sets you free.
Christopher.K
30/3/2010
