THE
REFORMED WITNESS HOUR
"Addicted to the Ministry of the Saints"
Rev. Jai
Mahtani
(e-mail: Rev.
Carl Haak) |
Dear radio friends,
We have been considering, in the last couple of weeks, our
calling to love the stranger, to love our brethren, and to love our children.
Today, we want to look at a very interesting passage of
Scripture, I Corinthians 16:15, 16, which reads: “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that
it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the
ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one
that helpeth with us, and laboureth.”
You will, of course, understand why I say this is a rather interesting
passage, because this is the only time in all of Holy Writ that we have this
word translated as addicted. A term
that is usually used to describe a negative behavior is put here in a positive
and beautiful way. Stephanas, one of
the first converts in the region of Achaia, presented a godly example. He and his house are said to have addicted
themselves to the ministry of the saints.
Please note with me that, as the apostle Paul writes to the
Corinthians and gives this godly example, he calls the saints of God to submit
themselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and that
laboreth. In that context he speaks
also of Fortunatus and others of his co-laborers. And he is exhorting the saints to be thankful to God and to
follow their godly example.
True, we all have different gifts and callings, as Romans 12 and
I Corinthians 12 tell us. But if you
examine God’s Word, you will find that all Christians are given a duty to
practice hospitality, in their own way, according to the gifts God has given to
them. We all, being delivered from
death and risen through Christ, are called to give ourselves to this wonderful
work of showing love to strangers, as we have been emphasizing.
But now we want to make a little shift. We want to show from the Word of God that we
are called to show that hospitality especially to the saints. For that is what our text is about: Addicted to the ministry of the saints. What a unique addiction. “I beseech you, brethren,” Paul writes,
“that ye submit yourselves unto such.”
Let us, before we learn from this godly example, identify who it
is of whom the apostle Paul is speaking.
The addicts of verse 15, if we may call them such, are the house of Stephanas. They are further described as firstfruits of
Achaia, which was part of Greece.
Now, according to Acts 18:27, 28, the apostle Paul’s preaching
was well received in that area. Many
Jews became convinced that Jesus was the Christ. We read in that passage, and now here in I Corinthians 16, that
Stephanas and his household were the firstfruits, that is, they were among the
earliest converts under the apostle Paul’s preaching in Achaia. In the very first chapter of this epistle,
in verse 16, the apostle mentions Stephanas, acknowledging that he baptized his
household. He says, “I came not to
baptize, but to preach.” But then he
remembers: “Ah, but I did baptize
Stephanas.” That tells you
something. That means that Stephanas
was a man of God who stood out in the mind of the apostle Paul. No wonder.
And Paul now beseeches that the congregation (and all of us as God’s
people) learn from the godly example of Stephanas, which the apostle Paul had
witnessed himself. By the amazing grace
of God, all God’s people, just like Stephanas, have been delivered from the
darkness of self-indulgence, of seeking their own, of being addicted to
themselves. They have put away drug
addiction, drunkenness, gluttony, and all their many former lusts. As new creatures in Christ they seek to put
on the new man.
I exhort you today, that one of those things that we must put on
is this godly exercise of the hospitality of saints, to be addicted to the
ministry of the saints. If all things
are to be done with charity, we must learn to give ourselves to this
addiction. If, indeed, we are to walk
in love for fellow saints and even our neighbor, we must learn a little bit
about this blessed addition.
Now that we have identified the addicts, we can focus on the
diagnosis of their addiction. The
apostle Paul tells us that they have addicted themselves to what? To the ministry of the saints. That is what they were addicted to! That was not their problem; that was their
virtue. Literally, we read in this
passage that they appointed themselves.
That is, no one really made them do this as a kind of duty. They saw the need, they were thankful for
the ability, and they simply appointed themselves, without being compelled by
any outside force. They dedicated
themselves with all their heart and soul to the ministry of the saints.
The KJV, I believe, correctly translates it as “addicted
themselves.” The NIV puts it this
way: “They were devoted to the service
of the saints.” They had voluntarily
and cheerfully given themselves to this ministry. They lovingly reserved time, energy, and resources for this lofty
work and became thus addicted to it. No
longer, you see, were they madly in love with the world. Their affection was on the lofty things of
God’s kingdom. In time past they
wrought the will of the Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, in lusts, and
excess of wine, perhaps even in reveling and banqueting and abominable
idolatries, as Peter describes in I Peter 4:3-6.
Remember, now, that this was a convert under the preaching of
the Word. This was a young Christian
who had just come to the saving knowledge of the gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ. But, lo and behold, by the
wonderwork of God’s Spirit, he and his household, being filled with the Word
and the Spirit, now manifest that by the love they had for the saints. They addicted themselves to the ministry of
the saints.
Now that we have looked at their unique addiction, we want to
focus on this truth, that when Stephanas and his house were addicted, they were
addicted to a very particular ministry.
The text tells us that it was a ministry of the saints. It is true that, as God’s people, we are
called to do good unto all men. We have
been looking at that in the first few messages of this series — to love the stranger,
to love our neighbor. But even in the
passage of Galatians 6:10 — that we are to do good to all men — we have these
words: “especially unto them who are of
the household of faith.” Stephanas and
his house were addicted to the ministry of the saints, that is, to the members
of the body of Christ. No doubt they
washed the feet of the saints who passed by, as we saw in the example of the
great Shunammite in the Old Testament.
They may not even have known all those people at first who came into their
home. But the point is, they were
giving themselves to the ministry of the saints.
That is a beautiful, marvelous description in Scripture of the
people of God. Remember, the church in
Corinth had many weaknesses. But the
apostle addressed her members nevertheless as saints. Shall we remember that, beloved, as we deal with the precious
people of God always? They have been
sanctified by the blood of Christ. They
have been washed in His precious blood.
They are not perfect.
Nevertheless, they are saints.
Saints are not those who do some extraordinary deeds and are therefore
praised by men and upheld as great men and women. No, saints are those who have been washed by the blood of Jesus
Christ. Character, color, smell — we
may not like. That is fair. But if God is for the brother, how dare we
be against the brother. And if God has
loved us while we were stinking sinners, how dare we not love the brother. That is Scripture, is it not? We must show our love for God by our love
for one another.
Furthermore, let us not forget this: Stephanas and his house addicted themselves to the saints because
these saints were indeed in great need.
Remember the historical context.
There was pain, poverty. There
was persecution in the New Testament era.
The saints of God had needs, and Stephanas and his household came to the
forefront, giving even their very home, to show that kind of charity and love
to the people of God.
Oftentimes God’s people have needs. Our fellow saints, just as we ourselves, have needs. We must not be blind to them. In fact, these special needs of the people
of God can often best be met by fellow saints who have similar trials and
afflictions. That is not to say that we
may not need a doctor or we may not need a good therapist or we may not even
need help from a financial advisor. But
let us not forget that God’s people need each other. We who know God’s comfort are the ones who know how to comfort
our brothers and sisters in a way that the world does not even begin to understand. We must addict ourselves to the service of
the saints.
Even more specifically, we have in our text the beautiful idea
of hospitality. Remember what I have
said. What is the meaning of the word
hospitality? Love of strangers. Stephanas and his house loved
strangers. Except that these strangers
turned out, oftentimes, to be saints.
Stephanus and his house were willing to lay down their lives for their
fellow saints. Stephanas and his family
gave of their time and resources to meet the needs of the precious people of
God.
Paul says in I Corinthians 16:17, “I am glad of the coming of
Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus:
for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.” These co-laborers, these helpers, were such
a refreshment to the apostle Paul. He
says that literally in verse 18: “For
they have refreshed my spirit and yours:
therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.” These men, especially the household of Stephanas, but also these
other men, these co-laborers, had given themselves to the needs of the saints
and thus were a refreshment to the apostle Paul.
The Scriptures have a lot to teach us about this whole subject
of hospitality. The calling is stated
clearly in I Peter 4:9: “Use
hospitality to one another without grudging.”
There is another passage of Scripture that we hope to focus on in the
days ahead. All of us are maybe
familiar with the passage in Hebrews 13:
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares.” I am
always struck by that passage because Hebrews 13:1 begins with: “Love the brethren.” Then, immediately, we read, “Be not
forgetful to entertain strangers.” That
tells us something. That tells us that
this love for the brethren and this love of strangers do not contradict each
other. They, in fact, are two sides of
the same coin. Out of the love of God
we must learn to love both the brother and the stranger. I think I Timothy 5:10 is another very good
example. The apostle Paul there
commends the widows who had lodged strangers, washed the saints’ feet, and
relieved the afflicted.
It is surprising — no, it is not surprising — that in all these
passages the call to show hospitality is placed in the context of love. Love — that is what it is all about. Love the stranger, love the brother, love
your children. God is the fount of
love. He has loved us greatly and sent
His Son into the world to die for us that we, through Him, might have eternal
life. We have been drawn into the
family and covenant of God. We, who
once were strangers, have now come so close to the heart of God that we can
also love one another.
Beloved, this matter of hospitality is a very important one, a
very distinctive ministry in the church of Jesus Christ. So much is this so, that Scripture says an
elder must be “given to hospitality” (I Tim. 3:2). The others in the church must not then say, “Oh, no. That’s the job of the elder.” Of course not. The elder must be given to hospitality that he might set the
tone, that he might give the godly example for all to follow, so that we might
be a hospitable church.
I often think that that what the hospital is all about. In a hospital people receive
hospitality. And they have to learn to
be patient. Have you ever been to a
doctor’s office? No wonder we are
called “patients.” We have to learn a
lot of patience when we wait and wait and wait and we hope that at least the
doctor will show us some hospitality and the nurse will show us some
kindness. Sad to say, sometimes the doctor
does not have time or at least gives you the impression that he does not have
time. But the truth is, that is what
the hospital is all about. And that is
what patients are about.
Indeed, one who desires an office, not in the hospital of men
but in the hospital of God, that is, in the church of Jesus Christ, where men,
women, and children are healed under the preaching of the gospel, such a one,
according to Titus 1:8, must be a “lover of hospitality.”
What does hospitality mean?
Love of strangers. Those who
aspire to the office must be lovers of hospitality. They must be so devoted to this exercise that they are given to
it.
Many are directed to Hebrews 6:10: “For God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love, which
ye have shown toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do
minister.” That is good. We should encourage each other and remind
each other, in that wonderful work, that we should not become weary. It is tiring. Oftentimes it is not repaid.
In fact, it is just forgotten.
It is behind the scenes. But,
beloved, God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love, which ye show
towards His name when you minister to the saints. Let us do so with love and with sacrifice, knowing that God has
called us to be addicted to the ministry of the saints.
This is a lovely example.
No wonder this addiction is highly honored. That is what we want to close with in this day as we conclude
this message on addiction to the ministry of the saints. The purpose of the text is to inspire us to
emulation, even to instruct us to submission.
Former drug addicts, recovering alcoholics, need a changed
influence. They need a new example to
follow. In the past they have addicted
themselves. They have appointed
themselves and given themselves to that horrible way of alcohol or drugs. And now that they have come to see their
sin, as the Holy Spirit opened their eyes, and they come to repentance, what
must they do? Yes, not only must they
look to God and trust in Him, but they should be wise to place themselves in
the sphere where they will grow and be nurtured.
So also we, we are told in our text, must submit ourselves to
such a godly example. To submit to
Stephanas means that we are to listen to Stephanas and to follow his
example. We are told in our text to
know such ones, that is, spiritually to recognize who they are and to discern
them, in order that we might be influenced ourselves and become spiritually
addicted.
Do you see such a one in your church? Perhaps it is a mother, perhaps a widow, perhaps an elder,
perhaps just someone in the church who knows how to run around and help. Perhaps you have said to such a person,
“Don’t be a Martha; learn to be a Mary!
Slow down.” Good advice. But I will give you another piece of
advice. Go learn from that Martha a
thing or two. Go learn and be under the
influence of such a one and learn something about what it means to busy
yourself in the ministry of the saints.
Do not leave it to someone else.
Do not say you do not have time.
It is a wonderful blessing, people of God, to be addicted to the
ministry of the saints. For it is more
blessed to give than to receive. There
is no better way to be busy than with newfound Christian friends.
Is that not true? Busy
yourselves with God’s people. Take the
time on Sunday to have them over. Be
willing to go over to their homes. Be
willing during the week also to take the time to be with God’s people in order
that thus, under the influence of these Christian friends, whom God calls
saints, you yourselves might become more and more consecrated to the service of
the saints. Let us quit gossiping about
all our fellow saints. Let us show each
other the charity that we are called to show in the love of Christ.
So, as we conclude, I point out to you the urgency that is indicated
in our text. Perhaps you sense that
urgency already in this message. But I
will repeat it for you. Paul writes: “I beseech you, brethren.” That is a strong word. He is saying, “I beg you!” Why?
We cannot be sure why he used such strong language. Perhaps there was a great need. Perhaps there was a lack of such love. Perhaps Paul was really so impressed and
personally blessed by this lovely example.
Whatever the case, Paul thought it necessary to urge the
Corinthians. So do I. I believe, beloved, that in this day when
everyone is so busy, we need to pause and consider Stephanas and his
household.
Sometimes, you know, we read these last chapters in the epistles
filled with names and we think they do not have any instruction for us. Greetings to this one, greetings to that
one…. Pause and see that in the midst
of all these closing greetings we have this wonderful example of Stephanas and
his household, and learn to look out for such a one also in our own midst. Even better, that we ourselves be
that Stephanas, addicted to the ministry of the saints. Young or old, let us be spiritually addicted
to the ministry of the saints. For in
this we follow Jesus Christ, who came not to be ministered unto but to minister
and to give His life a ransom for many, who literally washed the feet of the
saints and who will reward all who serve the least of His brethren.
It is good that we be addicted to the ministry of the saints,
better than any other addiction. Let us
turn from the addiction of our former lusts.
Let us not return to being obsessed with our carnal desires. Let us repent of them and cry out to God
that He, by His Spirit and grace, may help us to be like these firstfruits of
Achaia, who addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints. Serving the saints, we will follow the
example of Christ, and we will indeed walk as the children of God. We will show the love of God in our hearts
and thus magnify the Lord our God and be a rich blessing to His precious
people.
Let us pray.
Our God and Father, what a blessing and privilege Thou hast
given to us. Thou hast drawn us into
Thy own family and now dost give to us that duty to show love to the saints
whom Thou dost love. Help us so to do
through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray, Amen.