Uneducated?

Uneducated?

Acts 14:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

 

One of the biggest misconceptions about ministry today is that unless a person holds a college and/or seminary degree, they are somehow less than prepared for the ministry of God's Kingdom purpose. 

REALLY?

Here is a truth.  Peter and John were ignorant and unlearned. Peter and John were fisherman and did not have time to spend many hours in studying the Scriptures. Look at the great ministry they had and what was the reason? “they had been with Jesus.” 

Now, where can we learn the thoughts of Jesus today? Through the means of grace. These are the means of grace, the gospel in Word and sacraments. A sacrament is as a sacred act established by Christ in which the Word connected with an earthly element gives the forgiveness of sins. I believe that the Lord gave his Word and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper for a purpose. Through God's Word and sacraments he preserves and extends the holy Christian church throughout the world. 

Believers should therefore be diligent and faithful in the use of these divinely established means of grace for themselves and in their mission outreach to others. These are the only means through which immortal souls are brought to faith and to life in heaven.

For more on the means of grace - http://www.wels.net/what-we-believe/statements-beliefs/this-we-believe/means-grace

Personally I have a hard time wrapping my thought process on why God would still love me after all of the sinful things I have and continue to do. Yet that sweet tasting message of the Gospel of Christ helps me grasp the concept, and motivates me to strive and grow in the gift of faith the God has blessed me with. 

It is the means of grace that has changed me, the messages from the pulpit that fuel my zeal for Christ, and is responsible for establishing CEO Ministries. 

Hebrews 5: 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

You are: 

Called - 2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Chosen - John 15:16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” 


Created - Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


Commissioned - Matthew 28:19 - 20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

^{Colossians 3: 23-24} Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Equipped - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.


Gifted 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.




So what are you going to do with what God has entrusted you with?