Our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ

1 Thessalonians 3:2
and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith

Paul was sending Timothy to help with the establishment of an earlier church. Timothy was fully ready to be send out on God's work, just like Isaiah was when he responded to God's call to send him. Being in the service of God means yielding to His calling which may take us anywhere or anyhow He pleases. There is little room for our own plans. Unless we totally yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we may be lost in our own world of playing church.

For I have appeared to you for this purpose

Acts 26:16
But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.

Paul encountered the risen Lord and his entire life changed. He had only one purpose and that is to do the will of God as revealed in Yshua. The encounter itself may have been short, and Jesus said few words. There was no doctrine or theology being taught, no correction to Paul intellectual knowledge. It was just Yshua revealing Himself. That was enough to change the life of Paul.

Although many of us do not have the Jesus encounter that Paul did, when we believe, the Holy Spirit did come into us. It is not by our own wisdom or understanding that we chose Christ, but He chose us. Having been chosen, we still must will ourselves to live for Christ.

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers

Believers will suffer in the flesh as Christ did, but most likely not that much as Christ. The people of the world would not understand when we abstain from their activities. We should not be surprised to be suffering because of Christ, and instead glorify God when we are suffering. We should rejoice in sharing the suffering of Christ. Peter mentions that the end of all things is approaching. So we should be prepared by being watchful, and continue to love each other. In general treat others well, and use God's gifts to minister to others.


1 Peter 4

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us[a] in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime[b] in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Serving for God’s Glory

7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”[c] 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for God’s Glory

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.[d] On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.[e]

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now

“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”[f]
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some

Paul describes his role as an apostle and that such a role would enjoy great benefits and privileges among other believers. He uses the analogy that the temple priests and the Levites enjoy provisions from the people. Paul claims that the apostles of Jesus would have similar privileges to for teaching and sharing the gospel. However, the point of his argument is that even though he was entitled to such privileges, he chose not to. Besides desiring to serve willing Paul would also prefer not to give a reason for anyone to charge him from profiting from his role. It is Paul's great desire to serve others and be like the people whom he is serving. Finally he encourages us to persevere and finish the race.



1 Corinthians 9
A Pattern of Self-Denial

1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.”[a] Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?

Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ[b] without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Serving All Men

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law,[c] that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God,[d] but under law toward Christ[e]), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as[f] weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Striving for a Crown

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

David’s Song of Thanksgiving

Again the focus is on the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, highlighting the importance of this.
When the Ark was brought to Jerusalem, it was placed in the tabernacle which David built. David then led the worship by giving burnt offerings and peace offerings. He blessed he people, and reappointed the institution of the Levites to minister before the Ark.

The chief of the Levites was Asaph, followed by Zechariah and so on. David wrote a psalm and handed it to Asaph to thank the LORD. David's psalm is given below, no other words can describe David's praise of God, so have a read below.


1 Chronicles 16

The Ark Placed in the Tabernacle

 1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. 3 Then he distributed to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins.
4 And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD God of Israel: 5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-Edom: Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals; 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests regularly blew the trumpets before the ark of the covenant of God.

David’s Song of Thanksgiving
 
7 On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the LORD:
 8 Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
      Call upon His name;
      Make known His deeds among the peoples!

 9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
      Talk of all His wondrous works!

 10 Glory in His holy name;
      Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

 11 Seek the LORD and His strength;
      Seek His face evermore!

 12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
      His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,

 13 O seed of Israel His servant,
      You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

 14 He is the LORD our God;
      His judgments are in all the earth.

 15 Remember His covenant forever,
      The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,

 16 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
      And His oath to Isaac,

 17 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
      To Israel for an everlasting covenant,

 18 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
      As the allotment of your inheritance,”

 19 When you were few in number,
      Indeed very few, and strangers in it.

 20 When they went from one nation to another,
      And from one kingdom to another people,

 21 He permitted no man to do them wrong;
      Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,

 22 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
      And do My prophets no harm.”[a]

 23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
      Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

 24 Declare His glory among the nations,
      His wonders among all peoples.

 25 For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised;
      He is also to be feared above all gods.

 26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
      But the LORD made the heavens.

 27 Honor and majesty are before Him;
      Strength and gladness are in His place.

 28 Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
      Give to the LORD glory and strength.

 29 Give to the LORD the glory due His name;
      Bring an offering, and come before Him.
      Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

 30 Tremble before Him, all the earth.
      The world also is firmly established,
      It shall not be moved.

 31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
      And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”

 32 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
      Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.

 33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD,
      For He is coming to judge the earth.[b]

 34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
      For His mercy endures forever.[c]

 35 And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation;
      Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
      To give thanks to Your holy name,
      To triumph in Your praise.”

 36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel
      From everlasting to everlasting![d]

   And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.

Regular Worship Maintained
 
37 So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work required; 38 and Obed-Edom with his sixty-eight brethren, including Obed-Edom the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah, to be gatekeepers; 39 and Zadok the priest and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place that was at GibeonHeman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His mercy endures forever; 42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, to sound aloud with trumpets and cymbals and the musical instruments of God. Now the sons of Jeduthun were gatekeepers.
43 Then all the people departed, every man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.