Two Ministries

Were you able to think of any similar situation or situations? Did you think of this one also? Here is the occasion when Peter was faced with a similar situation of human inadequacy.

In obedience to the Lord Jesus, Peter is doing his work as a fisherman. He is fishing, though a wee bit reluctantly. The Lord gives him a large number of fish, as He gave the apostles a large number of believers.

As they found it humanly impossible to do the work of taking care of the believers, in ensuring they were all fed, so too with Peter. He found it impossible to manage all that fish by himself, having no choice but to seek the help of others.

Isn’t this the very Spirit Himself, showing and teaching us much, through the many similarities we find between these two experiences? They are so vastly different, yet so divinely alike, in that they share the same events. Events here, refer to:-

The Spirit’s work of abundant giving.

The Spirit’s wisdom in giving so much that no human can handle it on his or her own.

The Spirit’s will in having shared services.

The Spirit’s way of including those whom He delights in, having share in His work.

As we have noted, the text names two specific ministries, which the apostles, have taken responsibility for. The mere fact that they have not thought to give any of these ministries over to other believers, indicates, among many things, that they hold these ministries to be very important. In fact, careful study will show that these ministries are not simply important, but they are absolutely vital to the faithfulness of the Church’s existence. Let’s pause and spend a little time here.

We have already identified the Ministry of the Word of God and the Ministry of the Waiting on Tables. Will you accept them as Distribution Ministries? They are:-

The distribution of Spiritual food to the believers.

The distribution of Physical food to the believers.

It has been made clear that the dissatisfaction in the Church had to do with the distribution of physical food or bread, not the Spiritual. We have also agreed that the Holy Spirit has no lack of food or bread, either Spiritual or physical. He is the perfect all time supplier. However, I have found it extremely curious and a bit questioning, that the complaining believers are most dissatisfied with the distribution of physical food, not the Spiritual food. In other words, the Ministry of the Word was adequately preached and taught – no problem there. Does this speak anything of note and count to your heart and mind? Does this raise any alarm bells in you? I am sure this does, as it does to me, but what is the Holy Spirit revealing to us all, in this moment?

We pursue this further tomorrow.