The Work of an Overseer

When we read the letter to the Hebrews, we see clearly that the apostle was in need because the growth of the believers had stopped. “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with suffer­ings.” Heb. 10:32. But they didn’t continue in this! The apostle exhorts them and reminds them in different ways about this serious state of affairs: Their growth had come to a halt!

“Of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Heb. 5:11-14.

The same seriousness exists today, and the same Word applies to us. In particular, brothers who bear responsibility in their home church should ask themselves: How is my per­sonal growth and development? How is my personal love for Christ? Have I merely become more competent in leading, or have I also become more competent in living? Do I have food to give that comes from God’s Holy Place? Is there a Spirit of revelation in what I say, or are there only human thoughts that lack the power to quicken people’s minds? Do the people I serve come to faith in the power of God through my ministry? Is there a personal transformation taking place in me?

Every believer should ask himself these questions, but there is a special seriousness over the brothers who serve with the Word of God. Through growth in the good—through sanctification—it will steadily become easier and easier for people to receive our ministry. Everything will become more blessed and anointed.

“Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies) . . . .” Ex. 32:25. “Where there is no revela­tion, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.” Prov. 29:18. Without the revelation of the Spirit, we do not have the power necessary to build the church and keep a right relationship with God. All of Satan’s attacks must be exposed so no one is led astray by deceptive words about an easier way. In the fellowship of the saints, people love only the liberty that the Spirit of Christ approves. They don’t seek en­joyment just for the sake of enjoyment. We love and nurture the enjoyment and liberty we receive on the cross because it is pure. False liberty has never helped anyone grow in Christ. On the contrary, it opens the way to sin and corruption. A prophet has a watchful eye for this deceit and preaches the Word of the cross with power as a light and a lamp for the hearts of true disciples.

“So I fed the flock for slaughter, in particular the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Beauty [goodness (Norw.)], and the other I called Bonds; and I fed the flock.” Zech. 11:7. Every true shepherd must have both of these staffs. With them he is able to lead the sheep to green pastures and give them nourishment. Then everything will have the effect of uniting and strengthening the sheep. The first staff produces a constant undercurrent of joyfulness and goodness, and the sheep feel loved and appreciated. They re­ceive faith for the work they have to do, and they take up their calling as members of the body of Christ. Goodness leads them to repentance, and they experience growth and devel­opment.

The second staff—Bonds—binds hearts together. It en­sures that no divisions or parties develop, and people learn to avoid what is evil and hold fast to what is good. “For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit to­gether in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:1-3.

Our messages and our testimony must be characterized by the fact that we have a goal and a purpose in Jesus’ church. Everything must lead to the resurrection. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Him­self for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the wash­ing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph. 5:25-27. God’s co-workers today work in the same way. The goal is high, but it will be attained through an unfailing faithfulness to our Lord and Master! When the Word is spoken, it must have the effect that life becomes bright for the people listen­ing. Think about this and ask yourself whether your ministry has this effect, dear brother and sister.

When we read in the letters of Johan O. Smith, we see clearly how he meditated on what the apostle’s purpose was with what he wrote. You must give yourself time to come to clarity in the knowledge of God. That is why Paul exhorts us to think about these things and live in these things, so that our progress can be evident to all. It is also good to give yourself time when you are young to think about and live in the things that the brothers have written. Then you personally will come to the light of life, and you will have joy in your heart. Johan O. Smith gladly sacrificed the income he could have earned by teaching Norwegian classes so that he could have more time to search the Scriptures. How thankful we can be today that he did! Paul esteemed the knowledge of God so highly that everything else became trivial. He saw that through this knowledge he could come to the life of Christ; he could be transformed. We can praise God for this knowledge that makes it possible for us to grow and develop. We are purified in the blood of Christ, and we are able to serve the living God.

The church is God’s responsibility, and He is the One who appoints people to their position in the church. “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.” 1 Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11. He also speaks about these things to His servants, the prophets. It is an apostolic ministry to appoint elders in a church. It is not the elder brother in a home church who has that responsibility. Many people would like to have the honor of a position or a ministry in the church, but they don’t want all the labor and trouble that responsibility brings. Such people are not usable or capable of such a task.

Everything in the church is built upon the revelation of Christ manifested in the flesh. If a person does not see Him who is manifested in the flesh, he develops through his gifts to be a sort of entertainer. Such people must not be given any place among us. We must follow the faith, humility and good­ness our brothers have lived in. They deserve our deepest re­spect. This is something we must also teach our children. It is difficult to describe how those first pillars in the church in our time humbled themselves and went down to serve us. They are our fathers in Christ and should be honored as such. In their time they labored with an enormous reproach over them. In our time we are building in the same godliness and faithfulness to Christ. The message in the church that drives the whole work forward must be a message that comes right from God’s sanctuary. Those who are able to hear and com­municate the thoughts that God has for His church are more valuable than the most precious gold. Everything in the church must be done in the Spirit that exalts the Father and at the same time has deep respect for our fathers in Christ.

It is extremely foolish and inappropriate to have fun at the expense of the brothers who are among us. Maintain respect for one another. Consider the others as better than yourself. Respect your brothers’ thoughts and desires even if it is not always so easy to fulfill all of them.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Phil. 4:8. And speak about these things too! Then Satan will never get power, and God will be with us. Speak about things that strengthen godly fear and faith, things that unite and encourage. We all need an exhortation occasionally to stay on course.

It is tremendously profitable to keep yourself in lowliness. We don’t have to have any outward glory in this world. Grace and help from God are greater than all opposition. We focus on the work that we have to do and on the laws of life that apply to the church. We have many gifted and talented people among us who in their spirit want to remain in lowliness. Never meddle in another person’s calling, training or posi­tion. Some people are wealthy when they come to faith. Let them be wealthy. They must be freed from the things they own and become stewards. The church is not a social democ­racy. Be content with the life God has given you. The great thing about the gospel is that everyone can find God within his own boundaries and within the life-circumstances God has given to him. If you find Him within your own boundaries, you will be happy.