{"id":501,"date":"2015-08-17T20:47:12","date_gmt":"2015-08-17T12:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/malaccagospelhall.com\/meetings\/?p=501"},"modified":"2015-09-07T22:58:51","modified_gmt":"2015-09-07T14:58:51","slug":"fruitfulness-of-the-assembly-6-by-dr-aj-higgins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/malaccagospelhall.com\/meetings\/fruitfulness-of-the-assembly-6-by-dr-aj-higgins\/","title":{"rendered":"Fruitfulness of the Assembly by Dr AJ Higgins"},"content":{"rendered":"

FRUITFULNESS OF THE ASSEMBLY<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Focus of the Assembly<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Foundation of the Assembly<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Figures of the Assembly<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Fragrance of the Assembly<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Fruitfulness of the Assembly<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Function of the Assembly<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Fellowship of the Assembly<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
    \n1Ti 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
    \n1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
    \n1Ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.
    \n1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
    \n1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
    \n1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
    \n1Ti 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
    \n1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.<\/p>\n

    God will bless His Word.
    \nYou will notice immediately that chapter 4 presents us with 3 possibilities for ministry for the assembly.
    \nVerses 1-4 tell us about teaching.
    \nVerse 7 talks about empty or useless teaching.
    \nFrom verses 12 onwards we are told of the edifying that can be done.
    \nSo what we want to see is how there can be profit and usefulness in the assembly.
    \nSo the mandate for exemplary living is:
    \nThat you need to be the right person before you can find the right work for God.<\/p>\n

    When the Lord Jesus called His disciples He said \u201cFollow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.\u201d
    \nSo for believers, especially for young believers who want to be helpers in the assembly \u2013 the first thing to do is to \u2018Follow Christ.\u2019
    \nAnd the next thing we will have to look at is the example he will have to be.
    \nWe read of the requirement of the deacon who serves in a public way in the assembly that he must be the husband of one wife.
    \nNow, all of us think that we are the best husbands in the world.
    \nAnd this is what I have learnt in my 46 years of being married \u2026
    \nBack in our 25th anniversary, I made a big mistake in asking my wife what I could do to make our marriage better.
    \nI thought she would say I was the perfect husband and there was nothing I had to do.
    \nHowever, an hour later after having told me what I can do better the ambulance had to be called to take me to hospital.<\/p>\n

    We as husbands are usually good at providing material needs for our families.
    \nWe may also be fairly good at leadership and giving directions.
    \nBut I learnt that I was failing in giving the love and warmth that a wife needs to feel.
    \nSo since those 21 years that have gone by I hope I have got better.
    \nBut I guarantee that if we make it to 50, I will ask no more questions.<\/p>\n

    Paul tells Timothy to be an example to the believers.
    \nIt is your character that gives weight to your ministry.
    \nNotice that there are some things that work outward while others work inward.
    \nTimothy was to be an example to the believers in how he acted and in what he said.
    \nThen there were inward qualities that would characterize his life.
    \nHe was to have love, faith and purity.<\/p>\n

    Speaking of just one quality for lack of time \u2013 speaking of just faith \u2026
    \nWhen we were young we had the idea that faith was for the preacher and the missionary to live on.
    \nHowever, everyone who serves God must know the principles of faith.
    \nFAITH MEANS THAT I AM MOVING ON THE BASIS OF WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS.
    \nFaith does not mean that I do not know where my next meal is coming from or where my next pay cheque is coming from.
    \nFaith means I depend on the promises of the Word of God in my service \u2026 to serve with nothing before me but pleasing God.
    \nThis is serving God by faith.
    \nIt means being faithful to the Word of God without seeing results.
    \nThis is serving God by faith.
    \nAnd so Timothy\u2019s service to God was to be marked by this kind of faith.
    \nSo we have now the mandate in verse 12 that Timothy was to be an example to the believers of what a Christian ought to be.<\/p>\n

    Now speaking to young believers – of the means of finding a place of usefulness in God\u2019s assembly.
    \nMany young Christians spend much time worrying and praying in wanting to discover their gift.
    \nCould I suggest a different approach?
    \nLet me first of all mention the need for us to first acknowledge that whatever I can do comes from God.
    \nIt is NOT a matter of natural talent.
    \nIt is NOT a matter of what I want to do.
    \nBut rather am I looking to God to direct me and use me with whatever He has enabled me to do.<\/p>\n

    There is a difference between natural ability and gift.
    \nI believe God gives every human being certain abilities.
    \nHe is doing that with a view to adding a gift to it.
    \nThe ability itself is not enough to serve God.
    \nA man may be eloquent but that does not fit him to be a teacher.
    \nA man may have great management skills but that does not fit him to be a shepherd
    \nSo what we are reminded is that, God gives gift to ability.
    \nAnd in Romans chapter 12, we learn that God now gives Grace to gift, and gift to ability.
    \nSo all our natural ability we owe to God.
    \nAll our spiritual gift too we owe to God.
    \nAnd the grace that comes to use the ability, we owe to God.
    \nTherefore we cast all our crowns at His feet.
    \nAnything we have done or we do is only because of the grace of God given to us.<\/p>\n

    Second Principle<\/em>:
    \nWhat needs to be done in the assembly where I am found?
    \nI can either complain or I can contribute.
    \nI can either add to the problem or I can become part of the solution.
    \nSo you complain meetings are slow and boring.
    \nSo do I come exercised for the meetings?
    \nAnd then you complain Bible readings are not relevant.
    \nDo I come with something to contribute \u2026 maybe even a good question?
    \nAnd you complain that Gospel meeting is small?
    \nDo you yourself think of bringing people to meetings?<\/p>\n

    If God has given you insight to see a problem, it is not for you to complain about it, but rather that you exercise yourself in helping to find a solution?
    \nWe all like to be consultants, to give advice.
    \nHowever God is looking for commitment \u2013 for people who want to work and help in the assembly.<\/p>\n

    Third Principle<\/em>:
    \nAm I available to meet that need?
    \nAm I so tied up with my work that I do not have time to serve God?
    \nI need to be available to serve God from where I am.
    \nIf you cannot serve right now from where you are, it is unlikely that you will ever serve God anywhere else.<\/p>\n

    People ask me now that I am retired if anything has changed.
    \nMost people do not do a lot of changing after retirement.
    \nIf you have not had time for spiritual things before retirement, then rarely will you find time for them in later years.
    \nThe entire bent of your life is framed in your early years.
    \nThe reason why preachers at Conferences address young people is very obvious \u2026 it is because as you get older entering into your 40s and 50s, it is very difficult to change habits.
    \nSo the pattern of your life in the service of God is frequently developed in your teen years and in your 20s.<\/p>\n

    Be aware if God puts a burden in your heart.
    \nThe next thing for you to do is to be active in it and to do it.
    \nThink of the man named John; He stood by the cross of the Lord Jesus.
    \nThen the Lord Jesus looked down and saw His mother, and He said to her \u201cWoman behold thy son\u201d
    \nAnd then turning next to John He said \u201cBehold thy mother\u201d
    \nScripture very definitely says of John \u2013 From that hour he took her into his own home \u2013 John 19:27.
    \nJohn could have so easily said but I have the gospel to write \u2026 the epistles \u2026 the Book of Revelation \u2026
    \nBut take home a widow? That is not big enough!
    \nJohn displayed no hesitation or delay.
    \nJohn was available and he acted on what he was called to do immediately.
    \nPerhaps committed into your hands is the teaching of a few children.
    \nOr maybe the service God has for you is to bring in unsaved friends.
    \nThere is not any minor service for God.<\/p>\n

    Notice in the story of Solomon:
    \nHe had a vision and God asked him what he wanted.
    \nSolomon responded by asking God for wisdom to guide so great a people.
    \nSo God gave him wisdom.
    \nWhat was the first place Solomon exercised his wisdom?
    \nIt was not in an international crisis or during a national disaster or in balancing the budget.
    \nHis wisdom was displayed in a controversy between two harlots \u2026 a dead baby and a living baby!
    \nMost of us would have thought that this was too unworthy a place for the display of my wisdom.
    \nYet the gift that God gave him he was willing to use it in a very small place to start off.<\/p>\n

    Whatever God gives you to do, do it in the best of your ability.
    \nYou may look back from eternity one day to discover that the small thing was really the BIG thing in your life.
    \nThen think of those people who appear in Scripture in just a verse of two and then they just vanish away never to be mentioned again.
    \nJoseph of Arimathae is one such person.
    \nHe comes along from nowhere to bury the Lord Jesus and then just disappears from the scene.
    \nThat probably was the reason for his birth.
    \nYou don\u2019t know the value of the little service you do for God.
    \nGod has no minor roles for anyone to play \u2026 and on top of that if you do what God has called you to do faithfully, you will get as great a reward as someone who had a great gift.
    \nReward is not based on size or success but on faithfulness.
    \nSo if you are faithful with your small gift, God will honor you in the same way He will honor the one with a big gift.
    \nSo be aware of need and be available to meet that need and be active in that need.
    \nBe approachable by others as you serve.
    \nBe open to all brothers and sisters who come along to help and guide you, and then be appreciative that you have the opportunity of serving.
    \nRemember that God needs none of us.
    \nWe have a great privilege and honor if we have a little part in the work of God.<\/p>\n

    Let me give you an example from Scripture as to what his means:
    \nRemember Ruth when with Naomi she came back from Moab?
    \nGod had great plans in store for her.
    \nHowever, she did not know where her road was leading her to.
    \nShe began just by being aware that there was a need.
    \nThe need was to eat. And then she had the responsibility of her mother-in-law.
    \nSo she began by being aware and she was responsible.
    \nThen she went and she was active.
    \nShe was approachable by Boaz and the others in the field.
    \nAnd so by the time the story is done, she moves from the field to famine and from the famine to the fields of Boaz and into the future where God wanted her to be.
    \nSo finding a place of usefulness is all about being available, being aware and active in whatever place God places you in.<\/p>\n

    1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
    \n1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    What the above verses tell us of the motivation for the exercise of the gift.
    \nPaul reminds Timothy of his public responsibility in the reading of the Word of God.
    \nThe reading here is not of Timothy\u2019s day by day private reading of the Word of God, but the reading of the Word of God to the people of God.
    \nHe is to seek to give attendance to the Word of God as a priority for the Assembly of God.
    \nIt is to be marked by Exhortation and Doctrine \u2013 one is the teaching of \u2018Why\u2019 and the other is the teaching of \u2018What\u2019 and to be responsible for both.<\/p>\n

    One of the best illustrations of the teaching of the Word of God is found in the book of Nehemiah.
    \nNeh 8:8 distinctly tells us that he was reading out of the book of the law and caused the people to understand the words.
    \nTHIS is the responsibility of the man who stands to minister the Word of God to God\u2019s people.<\/p>\n

    1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
    \nThe verse above is Timothy\u2019s personal responsibility.
    \nHe is NOT to neglect the gift given to him. He is to seek to stir it up.
    \nSo it is possible for a believer to have a service for God and not fulfill it.
    \nAnd so it is possible for me to neglect my sphere of usefulness.<\/p>\n

    You recall the sad days back in Egypt that you read in Exodus chapter 1.
    \nThere were 3 things that marked the Children of Israel under Pharaoh.
    \nThere was Burden \u2026 there was Barrenness \u2026 there was Bondage.
    \nWhen Egypt could not kill the male Jewish babies, they made life miserable for them making them serve under cruel bondage.
    \nSatan cannot \u2018unsave\u2019 Christians.
    \nBut he can do all he can to keep you from growing to stop you from being useful for God.
    \nIt may be long hours at work or increasing responsibly and demand on your time.
    \nOr it could be a hobby to get involved in.
    \nAnd you are spending more time on yourself than helping the people of God.
    \nDistractions and detours in other areas result in tragic neglect of your usefulness to God.<\/p>\n

    Peter was detoured by Satan \u2026 but he was eventually restored.
    \nJohn Mark got discouraged and did not accompany Paul, possibly because he was anxious not wanting to go into Gentile territory.
    \nBut he too was restored.
    \nBut Demas loved this present age. He was a man who was commended by Paul and who had accompanied him previously but now had deserted Paul.
    \nSo we see here both Peter and John Mark who got side-tracked by Satan had their usefulness nullified temporarily but were eventually restored.
    \nAnd in the case of Demas we learn that not all who get away from God get restored.<\/p>\n

    One of the more puzzling lives in Scripture we find is the life that of Samson.
    \nSamson was a man who had a unique and supernatural gift.
    \nBut most of the time he used it for his own necessities.
    \nThree times he was turned aside from what he saw.
    \nFirst he saw a woman \u2026Then he saw a harlot \u2026 And then yet again he saw another woman.
    \nAs a result much of his usefulness was nullified by his behavior.
    \nAnd so it is puzzling to find his name listed in the 11th Chapter of Hebrews where all the heroes of faith are mentioned.
    \nSo it must probably be that Samson was a very ordinary looking man.
    \nHe probably did not have those bulging biceps or look like he would have had steroids for breakfast.
    \nHe might have been a very puny little man and hence every time he used his strength, he would have been completely dependent on God.
    \nAnd this being the case, it would have been good cause for the Philistines to enquire as to where his strength lay as there was no evidence of such strength in his appearance.
    \nSomeone once said that one of life\u2019s greatest tragedies is what a man could have been.
    \nDon\u2019t look back at your life with regret.
    \nDon\u2019t think of what I should have been or could have been.
    \nBe what God wants you to be RIGHT NOW.
    \nGod does have greater things for you and He will bring you to them.
    \nSo Timothy here is exhorted by Paul not to neglect his gift.<\/p>\n

    Notice now Verses 15-16:<\/p>\n

    1Ti 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
    \n1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Think of the degree of involvement he had to have in what he was doing for God.
    \nHe was to meditate on those things.
    \nThey were to be in him and he was to be in them.
    \nThis is the idea of a man totally immersed in what God wants him to be.
    \nThis is a reminder for you that if you are going to be useful to God; it is going to be hard work.
    \nGift is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
    \nSo to develop in usefulness for God \u2013 Time, hard work and commitment are the necessary ingredients.
    \nTimothy is reminded of the need to be involved in it, and let it get involved in him and to look forward for God.<\/p>\n

    See also the display of his growth: That thy profit may appear to all.
    \nThe reason for being approachable is a single reason.
    \nA man or woman is a very poor judge of his own gift.
    \nWe either over estimate or under estimate our usefulness.
    \nTherefore others will see your growth and usefulness that you have and as a result they will come to either to encourage or discourage you.<\/p>\n

    Notice the duration in which he is to manifest these things:<\/p>\n

    1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
    \nThis is not referring to the Lord\u2019s coming, but to Paul\u2019s coming.<\/p>\n

    1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Continue in them \u2026 So God intends you to keep at it.
    \nIt is so easy to get discouraged, laboring and not seeing any results.
    \nServing and not seeing any fruit.
    \nAnd so the tendency is to think is there any value in what I am doing?<\/p>\n

    There is a proverb that speaks of plowing in winter.
    \nIt says that a man who does not plow in winter is not going to eat and drink.
    \nPlowing in winter does not appear to be profitable or useful.
    \nNothing is grown in winter. But it is something that needs to be done in the light of future fruitfulness.
    \nSo it has to be kept at constantly and consistently.
    \nYou may spend hours studying the Bible, and end up having only one minute to say something.
    \nBut everything that you have gleaned will one day have opportunity to help the people of God if you have plowed in winter.<\/p>\n

    Reaping a harvest for the future:
    \nI just had an e mail from home.
    \nA girl who attended Sunday school 15 years ago called on the phone. She wanted her husband and her children to come for meetings.
    \nThe sister, who taught her, never thought she would ever see her again.
    \nSo the need is to keep at what you are doing and not to be discouraged.<\/p>\n

    Now see how this chapter ends:
    \nPaul tells Timothy:<\/p>\n

    1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    You may respond by saying \u2013 but Timothy was already saved! And so too all in the assembly!
    \nSo what really does Paul mean?
    \nIn Chapter 1 of this epistle, the Lord Jesus came to save sinners \u2013 This is personal salvation.
    \nIn Chapter 2 \u2013 women were saved by child bearing \u2013 this is not the salvation of the soul.
    \nBut by the problem Eve got into, by being out of place.
    \nIn Philippians Chapter 2 we read: 2
    \nPhi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
    \nThere was a problem in that assembly between 2 sisters.
    \nAnd this problem had the potential to destroy the assembly.
    \nSo Paul exhorts them to resolve the problem and working out your own salvation is what is in view in Philippians.
    \nSo coming back to verse16 in our chapter:
    \nIt began with evil teaching.
    \n1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
    \nVerse 7 was about empty and useless teaching.
    \n1Ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
    \nAnd now Paul says what is going to save and preserve the assembly is this kind of teaching and service for God.
    \nSo how can I be a blessing in the assembly where God has placed me?
    \nFirst of all be an example to the believers of what a believer ought to be.
    \nSecondly, find out what God has given you to do and do it to the best of your ability.
    \nIt may not be public and visible, or important and significant.
    \nBut the salvation of the local testimony depends on every believer putting everything they have into the Testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

    So just to summarize what we have looked at here:<\/p>\n