Currently we are under construction.

Spoon Fed and Spiritually Dead.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 John 4:1

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Today I want to discuss a truth within the Body of Christ.

The issue of our day is waiting on someone else to do the work. We all are so quick to talk about those who use food stamps or welfare. The reality is that we use our churches as though they were a welfare and food stamp distributor in the spiritual sense. People flock to the assemblies to obtain whatever they can get then head home with their arms full of whatever the grabbed off the shelf.

Realize one thing here. The things that are on the shelf simply is what a man placed there like the grocery store shelf. You take whatever item is provided then go and check out.

God is requiring more from us than this! We all are required to study the scripture for ourselves instead of taking the opinion of what it means and then go home. Like grabbing the box off the shelf and paying for it with your welfare card. Hey I got a word from the pastor and it was paid for by Jesus so I can go home now and all will be okay! This is far from God's truth and not what our heavenly Father wants for us and from us.

John 6:51

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

John 7:38

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Jesus has offered us more than a pastor to look over us as an interim shepherd. Jesus gave us more that salvation at the end of this life. Jesus has given us life and life more abundantly and food and drink to sustain us in this life here on earth. Take into account of all the hardships you ever went through to realize Jesus was there the whole time. Think about the times when you thought you would not make it to the next pay check and Jesus provided real food and drink to go along with the spiritual food and drink He already supplied.

Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Jesus set up His church to operate according to the blue print. His Word. We find in the blue print that offices were established in order to keep things running smoothly. Perfection was never mentioned in our efforts at any point and time as people. Jesus is perfection and His plan is the way to follow.

The 4th chapter of Ephesians verse eleven unfolds the offices of the church government.

In this particular passage I do not see where Jesus established a dictatorship or said that these offices hold a high-archy status. As a matter of scriptural fact Jesus said that the greatest amongst ourselves will be the least.

Matthew 23:11

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Luke 22:24

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

When we attempt to control the church, meaning the Body of Christ outside the Blue Print we will and can only obtain strife. This is truly why so many churches split among other issues that bring about divisions.

The issue at hand in our discussion today though is waiting on someone else to do what we are supposed to do for ourselves.

I am not attempting to discredit or eliminate the offices of the church as they are necessary. I am simply saying this, we must study and pray for our spiritual welfare. If we refuse to study and pray then we become spiritually blind. When we rely on others to do what we are supposed to do then we truly are blinded by selfishness and pride.

There are some and always will be that think the ministry owes them or is responsible for everything including feeding the flock. A pastor is a shepherd who leads his flock and feeds. The pastor is to bring direction and hope, but not to baby sit on a 24/7 basis. I firmly believe people like that who rely on the pastor or ministries to do it all or no different that the lame man who relied on people to carry him every where he went. In other words these are spiritually lame people that refuse to pray and read the Word of God.

Luke 6:39

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

1.Jude 1:12

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

The feasts of charity is the local church. Those who come in and take from the shelves and leave and do not work for themselves are the spots. They have no real respect of the ministry nor do they know where the water and food really comes from. They have no spiritual fruit and are spiritually dead.

They come in and get a quick word expecting the preacher or teacher or maybe the evangelist to do what they are required to do for themselves. I truly believe in receipt of truth from our spiritual leaders, but I do also know we are to trust in Jesus.

2 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

1 Thessalonians 1:5

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

I have taught for years that we are to know them that labor among us. When we learn about those around us and what they teach it helps us to understand what kind of merchandise they are stocking on the shelves. If we know the box is full of unhealthy ingredients then we are less likely to eat it.

2 Peter 2:1

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Matthew 15:9

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

The scriptures are so plain when it comes to false teachers. We know that we will have to deal with false teachers in our midst. False teachers are food distributors!

I like to put it this way. A false teacher is like that food company canning mice and rats in the vegetables they distribute. They are like that buffet on the news that served whole mice in the Sesame Chicken! Worse than that they are those who serve it and never truly apologize for it or correct the problem.

This brings me to the closing of this topic. Repenting is apology to God for the wrong we have done. It also is correcting the problem by doing things differently than we did before.

True Godly repentance will heal and correct the individual if he or she will allow God to work in them.

When we turn to Jesus with a true repentant heart He cleanses us within, and heals us from our old ways and deeds. He then feeds us with His truth and quenches our thirsts.

Mark 6:34

And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

Luke 12:12

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

John 3:2

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

John 14:26

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Acts 5:42

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Remember what you eat! Know what you eat! Know the source of the food!

Remember above all that Jesus is our ultimate teacher by the Holy Ghost. He still feeds those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

John 6:35

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.