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In 1 Peter 4:11 the apostle Peter wrote, “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.” This beautiful statement addresses our message, our ministry and our mission as Christians!
Our MESSAGE is the Word of God! Peter said, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” The word “oracles” (logion) “denotes a Divine response or utterance” (Vine). We are to teach what God says! The gospel is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16). We are to teach only what God says! Paul wrote, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). Our message is “the
word” of God (2 Timothy 4:2).
Our MINISTRY is serving God and others for God! “Peter said, “If anyone ministers…” The word “ministers” (diakoneo) means “to be a servant” (Thayer). Christians are “bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). Peter tells us that to excel as servants we must utilize “the ability which God supplies.” Paul exhorted, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). Our vocation is serving the Lord!
Our MISSION is to glorify God! We speak and serve “that in all things God may be glorified…” The word “glorified” (doxazo) means “to render glorious” (Strong). Everything that we do, even the most mundane things of life, is to be to honor and magnify God. Paul wrote, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). We want God to be honored and praised! We live to glorify Him! We know that He is glorified “through Jesus Christ” and we know that to Him belongs “the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Dwight Fuqua
Findlay church of Christ
Sparta, TN