Q & A

Got a Question, or Questions
I'll take a shot at having answers

My answers tend to be from scripture as I am no Theologian

I generally start with the Gospels as the foundation, and build on that using the applications of Jesus' teaching as shown in the various letters in the rest of the New Testament, and referring to the Old Testament for context and examples of God's interaction with Peoplekind (P.C. for "mankind"?)

I seldom discuss or speculate on the interpretion of Prophecy. I figure we are no better at that than the Rabbi's of old... and most of THEM totally missed the Messiah, ya know?

I have doctrinal statements, and a statement of belief on my website: pastor.markelliott.org, so feel free to check them out as well

So... within these parameters.. ask away!

:-)

God Did It

In The Beginning GOD
created the Heavens and the Earth

The Army Corps of Engineers didn't do it;
OPEC didn't do it;
Halliburton didn't do it;
God did it!

This one fundamental fact should alter the way you do business.

God has certain undeniable rights of ownership in His creation. Just as our laws consider the rights of an inventor who discovers some new process or an artist who produces a beautiful work of art, it is time that we consider the rights of the One who started this whole process.

God created all the raw materials for our factories, He created the very environment in which we live and work, He started the chemical processes that we use to purify the water, pasteurize our milk, refine our minerals.

When I say "created" I mean that He caused it to come into existence where nothing had previously existed. Whether He did this in 7 days or 700 millennia is irrelevant, the point is that He did it!

Whenever I say God, you think "religion".
This has nothing to do with religion. I am sure you feel that your belief, or unbelief makes a difference. Consider that for many years everyone believed that the earth was flat. Did this change the true shape of the earth? Neither does your rejection of God effect His existence or His creation.

There is still the fact that God knows more about this world than you or I, simply because He created it. Therefor, it is reasonable to attempt to discover God's way.

Let us examine these questions...
"What does God's Creator-Rights earn Him?"
"How do we discover His way of doing things?"
"How do we implement what we discover?"

Just as there is a potential cost in using another's Patent or Copyright, there is a cost in using God's Creation. Just as an inventor sets the price on his invention , God has set a price on His creation. He demands two things, first that you acknowledge Him as the creator, and second that you return a tithe to Him, for His use. A tithe is a fancy word for 10% off the top.
Where do you send the check? The simplest place is to His Church. If you are not sure where that is, find the neediest person or group you can and give it to them (this by-passes the middle man).

Where do you go to find His way of doing things?
To His Book, of course.
So you don't "believe in" the Bible. So what!
It claims to be written at God's direction. Check it out for yourself, don't rely on hearsay evidence. There are specific answers to corporate and business problems in God's Bible. Solutions to personnel problems, ethics, taxation, banking, investments, manufacturing, distribution and so forth.

Even better, approach The Creator directly. He has placed himself at our disposal by way of His Son, Jesus. I know, you don't "believe in" Jesus, Do not forget with whom you are dealing, this is not some local government or foreign investment cartel, this is the Son of the Creator of the Universe!

Once you discover God's way of doing things, what then?
Put them to the test. I challenge you to take any one of God's solutions and set them head-to-head against man's ways, let both run their course, and objectively judge the results.
For example, try this one in your company for one year...
"You have heard that it has been said, love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But Jesus says, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which mistreat you, and persecute you."

You will discover that God's ways are better than your ways. And your company will prosper for it!

God has the ultimate monopoly on world-creating. No one has an outlet across town where you can buy the competitive product. Sure, there is an usurper who claims to be God's competitor, but strangely the products turned out by the Evil One are destructive rather than constructive! Satan, the Devil, (whatever name you choose) offers answers, Solutions, and plans for your company that will result in the ultimate destruction of you and your business.

God holds the creative power of the universe, all power, resources, talents, and truth originate with Him.

Never forget this in your business!

deacon/minister/servant

Strong's Number: 1249
Def: One who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master. A servant, attendant, or minister

This term, in the noun and verb form (ie; one who serves, and serving), appears 104 times in the greek New Testament in 90 different verses. Only 4 of those references SEEM to be referencing an official or officer in the local congregation (the references in 1st Timothy Chapter 3).

The KJV translators used three words to translate diavkonoß; "minister" (as in ministering to a person’s needs), "servant" and "deacon." Of course "deacon" is not really a translation at all , but a "transliteration," a made-up word, used by the translators to give the word a meaning of thier own.

As I am sure you know, the concept of settting aside certain people to serve in the local congregation was first established in the Jerusalem Church in Acts Chapter 6;

"Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:2-4 (KJV)

In Paul's 1st letter to Timothy we read;
"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 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." 1st Timothy 3:8-13 (KJV)

Please note the phrase "office of a deacon" this concept is NOT IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK
TEXT." In my opinion (and please feel free to do your own research on this) the passage would be more accurately translated;

"Likewise must those who serve be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them serve, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let those who serve be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have served well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."

This more accurately applies the teachings of Jesus concerning being a servant;

"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28 (KJV)

I point out this and other transliterations to help you get a CLEARER UNDERSTANDING of the Word, not colored by the bias of the translators, no matter how well thier bias is accepted in today's Church.

~peace~