Edifying The Body of Christ

Message Title: Edifying The Body of Christ
Date: Thursday May 19, 2011
Chapters: I Chronicles 24-26
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Details of Today's Reading: The divisions of the priests and Levites for serving in the Temple, the offices of the Temple singers and musicians, the division of the Temple porters, the treasurers, officers and the judges.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ... And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” - Ephesians 4:4-7,11,12.

Religions are not created equal, while we would all like to think that we all follow One God, one faith, and one baptism only a select few follow the truth. Therefore, God leaves the task for those who do follow the truth to teach that truth to the others. Why? To perfect the ministry, to edify the body of Christ.

King David appointed specific Levites for serving in the Temple, from the high priest to the janitor, every person was given a specific task for the work of the ministry.

“Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office. And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.“ - I Chronicles 24:1-5.

God was, and is still, the God of order, particularly in the things of His worship. Every Christian should therefore pray to know his place in the work of God and should keep to it. “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.” - I Corinthians 7:22-24.

Perhaps one of the most influential to the body is music, music gets our attention, now, some types of music get the attention of the flesh, while others get the attention of the soul, which is the music we need to be listening to. David appointed certain men and women even for the task of providing music not only for the people, but for God as well.

“All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.” - I Chronicles 25:5-7.

The glory and honor of God should be extolled in the music of the church whether vocal or instrumental, making melody from the heart as to the Lord. We should not only sing those songs in church, but throughout the day, God loves to hear us sing out to Him, the more we sing the more He is lifted, which lifts us up and increases our faith as well. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” - Ephesians 5:18-20.

Every task that God calls us to do is very important to Him, David now appointed who would be the gate keepers and treasurers of the Temple.

“Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph...The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD...Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated. Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD. And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.” - I Chronicles 26:1,22,26-28.

Men and women alike were appointed positions in the house of the Lord. Every position was equally important to maintain worship in the Temple as required by God. This same is true today, whether you are sweeping floors, greeting people at the door, teaching God's Word, singing in the choir, or are a man of God, we all have the same purpose to worship and serve the great Almighty God in the way that He intended for us to do it. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” - Hebrews 9:14,15.

The most important task in the world for every Christian is to teach others the truth about Jesus Christ. Jesus Said to all who accept Him as their Savior, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." -Matthew 28:18-20. We are to, but sow the seed, everything else is up to God and the person. We may see them accept Christ in person or will never know that they did until we meet them in heaven, but as long as we do out part in fulfilling the Great Commission we will be blessed and honored by God.

Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the Temple treasures, Jesus Christ holds all the treasures we need. “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” - Colossians 2:2,3.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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