What Elders Do, the Younger Need to Know

(1 Peter 5:1-12)

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' "

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

"By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand."

There will always be discussion of grace in our gatherings; I think we should agree that this is the standard to uphold.

The ‘Thorn’ Comes to Kill the Flesh

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 

(2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Most have experienced the piercing of a thorn. No matter where it enters into the body it elicits a response: retraction away from the insult; looking at, and reaching to feel the site of entrance; vocal confirmation of discomfort. When a 'thorn' comes, it gets your attention. From a spiritual perspective, let it do it's work. We must understand, the Lord revealed to Paul that His grace is sufficient. The will of man is capable of transgression, even in an abundance of revelation as Paul had received, and was receiving. No one would leave an actual thorn sticking into their body, but would pull it out. When you recognize a messenger of Satan, the Holy Spirit will empower to 'most gladly' overcome.

Earnestly Desire to Prophesy, According to the Scriptures

"Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you---unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as one born out of due time." (1 Corinthians 14:39-15:1-8)

Our professing should also be according to the Scriptures, as the body of Christ Jesus!

"And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who HAVE THE TESTIMONY of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.' "