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BACKGROUND
GOD
GOD
I. His Being
II. His nature
III. His character
IV. His will
V. His subsistence
VI. His Fatherhood
MAN
WOMAN
FALL OF MAN
MAN
a. Man in nature
b. Man’s destiny
c. Man ‘s structure
d. Man’s sin
e. Man in God’s image
WOMAN
The
full background to this teaching is available online at this link
DEFINITIONS (For serious students)
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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| THE PRINCIPLE OF SERVANTHOOD |
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 Dictionary Definitions
SERVE: do service to, be useful to, meet needs of, do what is required for.
SERVANT: devoted follower, person willing to serve another.
The principle of servanthood is accorded a high place in Scripture.
Mark 9:33-35
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Servanthood is the foundation upon which the 'greatest commandment' is based.
Matthew 22:34-9
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| GOD'S PRINCIPLE OF SERVANTHOOD INVOLVES ME PLACING, IN AGAPE LOVE (ie. love through the choice of the will) THE INTERESTS OF MY GOD AND MY FELLOW HUMANS, ABOVE MY OWN SELF INTEREST. |
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The most significant, non-physical result of the fall of man was to turn around God's planned earthly order to place self first.
Isaiah 29:16
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Jesus came to start the process of restoration which will be completed when He returns for a second time.
Acts 3:20-21, 15:16-18
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| FALLEN MAN PLACES SELF BEFORE GOD AND FELLOW MAN. RESTORED (SAVED) MAN IS REQUIRED TO PLACE GOD AND FELLOW MAN ABOVE SELF. |
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| GOD'S ORGANISATION CHART |
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 The Bible provides clear guidance to the two earthly organisations of real importance to God, the church and the family. (Not necessarily in that order.)
God's organisation chart is a mirror image (the reverse) of that set up and understood by natural man. Let's look at the church, for example. In man's order, authority comes from the top of the organisation, flowing down to those at the bottom. This natural human order applies in most of our churches today.
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| Man's Order |
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Operates (as per the diagram above) on the 'Principle of Ruler Authority.'
So, in the church we have JESUS placed at the top of the hierarchy, with effective authority being with the DENOMINATIONAL HEIRARCHY, which may be several levels in itself.
Then we move down to the individual church leadership, the MINISTER, PASTOR or PRIEST.
Next in the pecking order are the ELDERS (Spiritual oversight) and the DEACONS (Needs oversight). These two roles may be combined.
Finally, at the bottom of the pyramid are the people, the CONGREGATION, PARISHIONERS, or FLOCK.
Authority is exercised from the top of the pyramid to the bottom.
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| MIRROR IMAGE |
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 As the character of God becomes reflected in us.
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| God's Order |
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Based on the 'Principle of Servanthood' ie. God's Order.
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These are in turn, to be served by those with the ministry gifts, the APOSTLES, PROPHETS, EVANGELISTS, PASTORS and TEACHERS.
Ephesians 4:11-13, 2:19-22
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| HOW DOES IT WORK? |
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 MAN'S ORDER
Based on the principle of ruler authority flowing down the organisation from the top to the bottom.
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 GOD'S ORDER FROM MAN'S VIEWPOINT
The Principle of Servanthood is inherently unstable from our viewpoint, therefore not applied within the church.
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 GOD'S REAL ORDER
The only way God's organisation structure works is when it is based on the foundation of Jesus.
A foundation of DEPENDENCE, not INDEPENDENCE.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11
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Built upon the solid foundation of the example of the character of JESUS.
Matthew 7:25
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Following the instruction of the HOLY SPIRIT
1 Corinthians 2:12-16
This form of organisation seems impossible to our human understanding. It only becomes viable as we give up our natural human nature and submit ourselves more and more to the will of the Father.
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| GOD'S ORDER CAN ONLY BE BUILT BY TOTAL DEPENDENCE UPON HIM, AS SHOWN TO US THROUGH THE LIFE OF JESUS. |
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| NEXT WEEK: GOD AND MAN continues . |
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 ..as we have a look at the other foundational institution close to God's heart, the family.
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 I understand how you may look at this teaching and say it is impossible!
For in our strength, it certainly is so!
However, as the church of the end time develops, a church of greater and greater submission to the will of the Father, so we will see the Principle of Servanthood become a reality in our relationships, one with another.
"May it be, Lord".
ROMAN AQUADUCT
Ancient Roman aqueducts were large bridges with pipes or channels set into them. These pipes carried water from rivers and lakes around the country, into Rome and other urban centers. One famous ancient Roman aqueduct that still remains today is the Pont du Gard in France.
"I rebuilt aqueducts in many places that had decayed with age, and I doubled the capacity of the Marcian aqueduct by sending a new spring into its channel."
- Augustus Caesar (14 A.D.)
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
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www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
9. The foolish are satisfied with reading the Word, the wise follow the Word, while the godly are as one with the Word.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Pets Rule!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/pets.php
The World's Greatest Groans: http://www.wwj.org.nz/groans.php
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