HIS ARMOURBEARER

INTIMATE ISSUES

TODAY'S ARMOURBEARER

Study 1: Guarding the Atmosphere

Study 2: Are you set apart?

Study 3: Beyond Protocol

John 13:1-17 (KJV) Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. [2] And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; [3] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; [4] He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. [5] After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. [6] Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? [7] Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. [8] Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. [9] Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. [10] Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. [11] For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. [12] So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? [13] Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. [14] If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. [16] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. [17] If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Christ washed his disciples’ feet, that he might signify to them the value of spiritual washing, and the cleansing of the soul from the pollutions of sin. He wanted to make a point about humble service, not just a common courtesies. It is symbolic of another washing , the cleansing from sin. The bath representsd salvation and the foot – washing represents restoration. Titus 3:5 He was teaching to show love and kindness to help people in whatever they need. Willingly serve in whatever capacity they need. We must not think we are too good to do certain task.

When we guard the atmosphere we must first make sure we are not contaminating it ourselves. The atmosphere in the House of God should be pregnant with everything one could possibly need. Healing, deliverance, liberty, Joy, Peace, Love, and help. Not just what you need. What you going to do today Lord? A sign, a wonder or a Miracle? What ya going to do today? We should expect God to do something. We don’t want the house defiled by leprosy or any other unclean thing. Can He use you? We must examine our Motive, our attitudes, our abilities, and our qualifications. We must work together doing what we are called to do. We must be in position, under authority, and committed to the House. You see it is not by power, not by might, but by my Spirit Says the Lord.

Your full intent must be to serve the Lord your God with all you heart and soul. Joshua 22:5 (KJV)

But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

It is a choice to serve the Lord. When you love Him, I mean truly love Him there is nothing that you would not do for Him. Let us not get tired or offended to the point of doing nothing. God will exalt the man who humbles himself and works for the unity of the church. We are called to serve Him. Everything we are and everything we have is to be dedicated to the worship and service of God. We are God’s choice to carry the gospel of His Son to the whole world. We are to co labor with others and are used by God to get it done. Jesus is the example to follow. What would Jesus do? He became the Servant of men—not only of God, He is the Superservant. It is our daily commitment to become more like him. We are to serve one another in Love.

We must put aside our pride and any personal agendas or grudges, and humbly stoop to minister to another person. We must apply the Word of God in Love. What good is your Ministry if it is not received? It is not fault finding or judging. In acts of hospitality service and love. Can you meet the need? Are you able to follow after Christ. Pride and self-exaltation has no place in any form of service unto the Lord. Acts of hospitality and humble service to meet the needs of others should be seen in all that you do.

Galatians 5:13 (KJV) - For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Joshua 22:5 (KJV) - But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Romans 12:1 (KJV) - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Epheians. 6:6-7 - Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.

True Servants have an OX mentality, we don’t look at how much needs to be done, we ask where do we start. It is such a Joy to please Him. We understand what is needed, we don’t have to be told to do everything. The Pastor just finds it already done. We know what it takes to get it done, and we know that everybody can’t handle the work. Some of us have a very hard time when others try to serve us. We sound like Peter; Lord you will never wash my feet. We are often times very selective in whom we receive from. We must minister one to another.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (KJV) - And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

There was the gift of helps. This is the gift that does just what it says: helps people. We all know some persons who are always ready to jump to help people—always available and ready to offer a helping hand. These are particularly directed to help the needy, for example, the widows or widowers, orphans, disabled, shut-ins, and poor.God has set and gifted each member in the church.

Ephesians 4:16 (KJV) - From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

They are not given in full measure to every believer although every believer...

• should be as an apostle in that he is serving Christ in a very special ministry, establishing, setting order, and faithfully using the gift God has given him.
• should be as a prophet in that he is daily proclaiming God’s Word. Pointing the way
• should be as an evangelist in that he is bearing witness to the lost. Telling the good news.
• should be as a pastor in that he is shepherding and caring for people all the time. Feeding the sheep and the lamb
• should be as a teacher in that he is teaching the truths of God’s Word to all whom he knows.

1.There is an immediate purpose for the professional or office-bearing gifts in the church and among God’s people. It is to equip believers to do the work of the ministry. The word “perfecting” (katartismon ) means to equip for service and ministry. This is critical to see, for the office bearer in the church is not to be the only one who goes about doing the work of the ministry. In fact, his primary task is to be an equipper, a person who makes disciples and prepares others to serve Christ. That we do our part in building up the church. Note that every joint or every believer “supplies” something to the body of Christ (the church). And what every joint or believer supplies is very significant.