BIBLEWAY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
2306 South FM 116/ PO Box 774
Copperas Cove, Texas 76522
Dr. W.G. (Will) Jackson, II, Senior Pastor
September 15TH, 2024
MORNING SERVICE 11:00 AM
STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS MONTH
“The Ministry Of Presence Should Be Present!”
RESPONSIVE READING:
Job 2:1-13 NKJV
SERMON TEXT:
1 Corinthians 2:1–5
NKJV & Amplified
SERMON TEXT:
1 Corinthians 2:1–5 NKJV
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony (mystery) of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:1–5 AMP
1 And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming to you the testimony of God [concerning salvation through Christ], I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom [no lofty words of eloquence or of philosophy as a Greek orator might do];
2 for I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection].
3 I came to you in [a state of] weakness and fear and great trembling.
4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom [using clever rhetoric], but [they were delivered] in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power [stirring the minds of the listeners and persuading them],
5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God.
- As Christians, We Fulfill the Law of Jesus the Messiah By Being Present With People In Their Time of Need!
- This STEWARDSHIP of PRESENCE Means That We Will Serve People Even When It Might Make Us Uncomfortable AND Take Us Out Of Our Comfort Zone!
- Nobody Cares How Much You Know and WHO You Know, Until They Know How Much You Care and Show Love!
Introduction:
September is Stewardship month.
We are going to study five different areas in the Stewardship of: Discernment, Giving, Presence, Spirituality and Progeny/Posterity. This morning we are looking at the necessity of exercising and being a participant in the STEWARDSHIP OF PRESENCE.
Paul went to Corinth in Greece on his second missionary journey. Corinth was a thriving commercial center and a very corrupt city. The church in Corinth had several problems, so Paul wrote this epistle to deal with them and offer Godly wisdom.
A ministry of presence is a ministry that can offer a non-anxious, non-judgmental atmosphere where another’s story can not only be shared but heard. Making that kind of bow to another person and offering them a real presence is a unique gift. Job’s friends silence was wiser than their words.
Best of all, it enables me to be present to The Presence, to others, and to help others be present to THE PRESENCE.
Offering a ministry of presence doesn’t require doing anything in particular if we will just be our true selves. To practice presence, just be PRESENT.
To be present requires a minimum of three things:
- to be flexible,
- to have no apparent agenda,
- to be willing to be emotionally vulnerable in interactions.
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
1 Peter 2:9 NKJV
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Galatians 6:2 NKJV
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Luke 4:38-39 NKJV
38 Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her.
39 So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.
2 Corinthians 4:13-15 KJV
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
CONCLUSION:
Philippians 1:6 AMP
6 I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].
When God calls us to serve, He calls us to come alongside others and become a part of their lives. He uses us to hold each other up and to help others grow in their walk with Christ. Look at those who surround you, and discern who you need to serve. Deliberately plan to become a part of their lives so that you can fulfill His call.
“THE MINISTRY OF PRESENCE SHOULD BE PRESENT!”
KEEP SHOWING UP AND BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO PEOPLE AND LET THEM MEET THE LOVE OF JESUS THROUGH OUR PRESENCE!
DO YOU KNOW JESUS IN THE PARDON OF YOUR SINS?
THE DOOR OF THE CHURCH IS OPEN.
BENEDICTION:
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jude 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and ever. Amen.