Christian Ministry

Author: Kevin McVicker

Don’t Be Deceived
Written By John Girton

“Don’t Be Deceived: Test Everything Against the Word”
Romans 16:17–20

This is a very strong passage for our Agape Men’s Fellowship discussion because Romans 16:17–20 is not simply warning us about false teachers—it calls us to become men who are discerning enough to recognize truth when we hear it. Standing in the place to be defenders of truth, but to do so with humility, love, and reverence for GOD’s Word.

Paul warns the believers to watch out for those who create divisions and put obstacles in the way of sound teaching. Then he gives the reason they can be dangerous: “by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

DON’T BE DECEIVED: TEST EVERYTHING AGAINST THE WORD

Romans 16:17–20 gives us a serious warning: “Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.”

We live in a time when we have access to more information than any generation before us. We read books. We listen to sermons and podcasts. We study commentaries. We watch videos. We hear people who speak with confidence and conviction. And sometimes what we hear sounds so good but we never stop to ask, “Is this true?”

Paul warns us that deception doesn’t always come sounding evil. Sometimes it comes through smooth talk and flattering words.

That means as men of GOD, we cannot allow someone else’s confidence to become our conviction. We cannot allow someone’s reputation to become our authority. And we cannot assume that something is true simply because it is written in a book, spoken from a pulpit, or repeated by someone we respect.

The Word of GOD must remain our measuring stick.

We should read. We should listen. We should learn. We should respect the wisdom and experience of others. But we must also search the Scriptures, examine what we hear, and ask GOD for discernment.

I offer you this six step progression:

Hear → Examine → Measure → Pray → Discern → Stand in Truth.

The question isn’t simply, “Does this sound good?”
The question should be:

“Does this agree with the Word of GOD?”

We are not called to be suspicious of everybody. We are called to be discerning. We don’t test everything because we want to prove someone wrong; we test it because we want to make sure we are walking in truth.

As men, husbands, fathers, grandfathers, leaders, servants, and believers, what we accept as truth doesn’t stop with us. What we believe influences what we teach, what we model, and what we pass on to others.

So tonight, let’s talk about how we protect ourselves from being deceived—not by becoming cynical, but by becoming grounded in the Word, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and willing to test what we hear.

Don’t be fooled by smooth talk and glowing words. Measure everything against the Word of GOD.

Now I’d like to hear from you guys. Let me hear your thoughts
Questions:
1. Why do you think Paul specifically mentions “smooth talk and flattery”?
  • Why can something that sounds good be more dangerous than something obviously wrong?
2. What are some sources we trust without really checking?
  • Books?
  • Commentaries?
  • Preachers?
  • Podcasts?
  • Social media?
  • Even people we personally admire?
3. How do we distinguish between someone’s interpretation of Scripture and what Scripture actually says?
4. Have you ever believed something for years because someone you trusted taught it to you, only to discover later that Scripture said something different?
  • What did that experience teach you?
5. What does it actually mean to “test” something against the Word of GOD?
  • Is knowing Scripture important?
  • Is context important?
  • Should we compare Scripture with Scripture?
6. Can something be spiritually encouraging and still be biblically wrong?
7. What responsibility do we have when we discover that something we’ve been teaching or repeating isn’t true?
One Important Distinction – Discernment is not cynicism.

We’re not being called to assume everybody is wrong. We’re being called to know the Word well enough to recognize when something is wrong.

And there’s another beautiful piece in this passage that shouldn’t be overlooked. Paul closes with:
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” — Romans 16:20

That’s powerful because the passage doesn’t end with fear of deception. It ends with confidence in GOD.

Our protection isn’t merely our ability to argue theology. Our protection is being anchored in GOD’s truth and dependent upon GOD’s wisdom.

A Simple Challenge

Before I believe it, I will examine it.
Before I repeat it, I will verify it.
Before I teach it, I will measure it against Scripture.
And before I trust my own understanding, I will ask GOD for wisdom.

“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Father GOD,
Thank You for bringing us together tonight and for reminding us that everything we hear must be measured against Your Word.

Give us discerning hearts. Help us not to be deceived by smooth words, flattering speech, or things that simply sound good. Give us the wisdom to recognize truth, the courage to stand on truth, and the humility to receive correction when we are wrong.

Holy Spirit, reveal truth to us and guard our hearts and minds from deception. May Your Word be the standard by which we measure what we read, what we hear, what we believe, and what we teach others.

Make us men who are grounded in Your Word, guided by Your Spirit, and committed to Your truth.

In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
October 13, 2026
Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead
John 11:25-44

25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Meaning and Application

Jesus responds to Martha’s grief by telling her that He personally embodies both resurrection and life. Everyone who place ongoing trust in Jesus is guaranteed of spiritual life that will never die, something we refer to as being born again. Even though every believer will one day have to face physical death, Jesus tells us that we can be assured that just as He was resurrected, we to will be resurrected and shall never die. Notice the emphasis on ”BELIEVE”, mentioned 3 times!

Key notes

In the middle of Martha’s grief, the Lord speaks personally and directly to her.

Jesus declares that he has resurrection power as stated in John 5:21

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:20 that Jesus is the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”, every believer’s future resurrection is anchored in His person and work.

Jesus declares the promise of eternal life.

This promise is universal and applies to all those that believe.

Belief is ongoing and not just a one time profession.

APPLICATION:

27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

28And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.

29As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

32Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

Meaning and Application

Here in verse 27, notice Martha’s reply. Not only does she believe the Jesus is the resurrection and the life, she takes the thought further and declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God which was the prophesied messiah.

Notice Mary’s response to Jesus’ appearance.

Verse 32 captures a moment where deep grief meets unwavering faith. Mary comes to Jesus, sees Him, worships at His feet, speaks honestly, and expresses confidence in His power despite her disappointment. The verse invites us to approach Christ the same way—humbly, candidly, and believing that His presence holds the key to life over death.

Key notes

Martha makes the connection between Jesus being the resurrection and being the prophesied Messiah

Other translations refer to Jesus as the “TEACHER”. An identity that is more specific to Jesus identity.

When Mary hears that Jesus is calling for her, she immediately goes to Him.

Falling prostrate signals worship, surrender, and dependence (Psalm 95:6).

This is not Mary’s first time at His feet; earlier she “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His word” (Luke 10:39), and later she will anoint them (John 12:3). Her default position is humility.

APPLICATION:

Application: when Christ calls, immediate response brings blessing (Hebrews 3:15).

At Jesus’ feet is where burdens are laid down and lives are lifted up (Matthew 11:28).

The Teacher still “is here and is asking for you,” inviting every believer into deeper fellowship and trust.

33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled

Meaning and Application

Here in verse 33 Jesus reveals His soul to the audience and to us, today. Notice the effect of observing the weeping of Mary and Marth, even the weeping of the other Jews who where present (whether they were sincere or not). Jesus shows He is fully affected by observing human suffering, seeing the tears and sharing in our grief. The verse says Jesus groaned in the spirit and was troubled. His compassionate response to our suffering, reassures us that the Lord not only understands our sorrows but also acts to redeem them.

Key notes

Jesus feels our pain.

This feeling reaches deep into His Spirit.

APPLICATION

Just as Jesus responded to Mary’s distress over 2000 years ago, today Jesus reacts to the pain we experience as we go through trials today. It would serve us well to remember that we are never alone and should always turn to Him first in every situation we find ourselves in.

34And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35Jesus wept.

Meaning and Application

In verse 34 we see Jesus taking the first step of redemption in this situation. He calls out “Where have you laid him?”. A sign that Jesus is about to take action.

In verse 35, these two words reveal two majestic truths: the sovereign Son of God stands with us, and the Savior’s heart breaks with us. “Jesus” assures us of His power; “wept” assures us of His compassion. Together they guarantee that every tear we shed matters to Him, and every grave will one day give way to His resurrection power.

Key notes

Jesus, the Son of God, is a person of action.

When Jesus saw the grave, many thoughts would have raced through His mind.

Jesus feels a deeper sorrow than we experience. He sees beyond the surface of this situation, just as Jesus laments over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37

APPLICATION

36Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

37And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

Meaning and Application

The crowd, seeing His tears, declares, “See how He loved him!” Their words affirm that Jesus’ love is visible, powerful, and real.

John 11:37 captures a moment of skeptical wonder: witnesses admit Jesus’ proven power yet doubt its present application. Their question highlights human limitation—believing God can do some things while questioning His will or timing in others. Jesus answers not with words but with an even greater demonstration, bringing Lazarus back to life and revealing that His glory exceeds prevention; it conquers the grave itself.

Key notes

The sight of Jesus weeping caused the crowd to acknowledge His love for Lazarus.

Some of the witnesses have weak or a lack of faith and doubt the power of Jesus, the Son of God even thought they witnessed His miraculous signs for the past three years.

APPLICATION

That same love, proven at Lazarus’ tomb and perfected at Calvary, invites us to trust the One who feels our sorrow and overcomes it with resurrection life.

38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

39Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Meaning and Application

Having asked “where have you laid him”, Jesus finds Lazarus buried in a cave and it is sealed by a stone. Jesus gives the people the instruction to, “Take away the stone”. Marth rejects this command and tells Jesus that Lazarus has been dead 4 days, his body is decaying and it stinks by now. Jesus challenges Martha’s unbelief. He tells her, she must believe if she would desire to see the glory of God!

Key notes

The grave of Lazarus is a cave.

The cave is covered by a stone.

Jesus tells the men to remove the stone.

APPLICATION

How do these 3 facts give us a deeper message of sin, death and restoration?

Here, Jesus demonstrates that no physical barrier or emotional weight can hinder His life-giving power. The verse invites confidence that the same Lord who stood before Lazarus’s tomb now stands victorious over every grave, ready to speak resurrection into all who believe.

Verse 40 unites God’s promise with our faith in order to experience the glory of God. Jesus reminds Martha—and every believer—that His spoken word is sure; that faith is the key that unlocks divine revelation; that those who trust Him will personally encounter His works; and that every work ultimately displays the radiant glory of God. Believe, and you will see.

41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

Meaning and Application

Verse 41 teaches us something about God’s sovereignty and man’s obedience. The command was given to remove the stone and the people obeyed. Reflect on this and what it means to you!

Next, Jesus gives thanks to the Father to remind the people that the Father always hears us when we cry out to Him. God wants believers to remove obstacles, fix their eyes on heaven, express gratitude before seeing results, and trust that the Father hears and answers through His Son.

Key notes

Jesus commands the people to remove the stone.

His desire that we will obey His command and remove the stone.

Jesus has a very close relationship with His Father and shouts out in thanksgiving.

He did this for the benefit of those that are about to witness the miracle, so they may believe in the Father.

APPLICATION

First step. God commands us to remove the stone in our lives that seals us in our state of death.

Second, once we receive the command, it’s up to us to remove the stone of sin that hold us captive in our state of sin.

Third, we are to give thanks, praise, honor, worship, glory to the Father for the work he will do in our lives

Fourth, watch and see what the Lord will do!

43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

Meaning and Application

With a loud shout, Jesus calls Lazarus to come from death into LIFE. Lazarus responds to the call of Jesus and exits the cave bound hand on foot. Jesus instructs the people to loose him.

With Lazarus bound hand and foot, natural movement was impossible. Only by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit could Lazarus be carried out of the tomb. Jesus speaks and the Holy Spirit acts. Then Jesus instructs the men to loosen him so Lazarus can move with his own strength..

Key notes

Lazarus is transformed from death to life.

The supernatural power of God is evident over every aspect of this event.

Human effort is required to complete the release from bondage.

APPLICATION
September 5, 2026
Micah 6:8

Written By John Girton

Agape Men’s Fellowship
“Men Who Stand: Defenders of Truth, Justice & Righteousness”
Central thought:
When justice and righteousness appear to be separated, Christian men are called
neither to remain silent nor to become instruments of vengeance. We are called to stand firmly in truth, walk righteously, speak courageously, and trust GOD with the outcome.

My foundational Scripture tonight is Micah 6:8,

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy GOD?”

I particularly like this because it speaks directly to “O man.” It gives men three
responsibilities:

DO JUSTLY.
LOVE MERCY.
WALK HUMBLY.

This will be the framework for our conversation. I have six points I’d like to cover with Scriptural references with each point.

“Tonight I don’t want us to discuss which country has the greatest problems with justice, or which political system is right or wrong. We come from different nations, but we serve the same GOD. So, the question before us is:

What is the responsibility of a Christian man when he sees truth being distorted, justice being denied, or righteousness being separated from power?”

I want to establish one ground rule:

“We are not here to defend our countries, our politics, or our personal opinions.
WE ARE HERE TO ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO EXAMINE US.

POINT 1 — A Man of GOD Must Recognize Truth

John 8:31-32
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Truth isn’t determined by popularity, political party, nationality, social media, or even by what benefits us.

Questions:

 Why is truth sometimes difficult to recognize?
 What happens to society when people begin calling evil good and good evil?
 How can a Christian man make sure that his own emotions aren’t disguising
themselves as truth?
 What responsibility do we have to seek truth before repeating what we’ve heard?

Key thought:
A defender of truth must first be submitted to the Truth.
We cannot defend truth publicly while compromising truth privately.

POINT 2 — We Are Called to Stand for Justice

Scripture: Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”

And Proverbs 31:8-9 is powerful:
“Open thy mouth for the dumb… Judge righteously and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

This moves the discussion from “What do I believe?” to “What am I willing to do?”

Questions
 When we see someone being treated unjustly, what does Christian courage
require of us?
 Is staying silent always neutrality?
 When does silence become participation?
 How can we speak against injustice without becoming unjust ourselves?
 What does it mean to defend someone who cannot defend himself?

Here’s a Strong statement:

“Christian courage is not the absence of fear. It is the decision that obedience to
GOD is more important than our fear of people.”

POINT 3 — Justice Without Righteousness Can Become Revenge

Scriptures:
1 Samuel 24:6
David had an opportunity to eliminate Saul but refused to take vengeance into his own hands.

And Romans 12:19:
“Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

This is a critical distinction:

Justice seeks what is right.
Revenge seeks to make someone hurt.

A Christian man can oppose evil without becoming evil.

Questions
 What’s the difference between righteous anger and personal vengeance?
 Can we fight for justice while still loving our enemy?
 Why is it so tempting to justify wrong behavior when we believe we’re fighting for the right cause?
 What happens when our desire for justice becomes hatred?

Here’s a line worth emphasizing:

“The righteousness of our cause does not give us permission to abandon the
righteousness of Christ.”

POINT 4 — Defenders of Truth Must Speak Truth in Love

Ephesians 4:15
“But speaking the truth in love…”

Notice it doesn’t say truth OR love.

It says truth in love.
We need both.
Truth without love can become cruelty.
Love without truth can become compromise.
Christian maturity holds them together.

Question
“Have you ever been so convinced that you were right that you stopped caring how you treated someone who was wrong?”

POINT 5 — Sometimes Standing Means Standing Alone

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego essentially said:
We will not bow.
They didn’t know how GOD would deliver them.
But they knew what they would not do.

That’s powerful for men today.
Sometimes we won’t know the outcome.
Sometimes our position won’t be popular.
Sometimes people won’t understand.
Sometimes defending truth costs us something.

But our responsibility is faithfulness—not controlling the outcome.

Questions:
“What convictions are so important that we should be willing to stand even if standing costs us?”
“Are there times when we’ve remained silent because standing for what was right was inconvenient?”

POINT 6 — A Christian Man Must Examine Himself

This may be the most important part.

Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O GOD, and know my heart…”

Before we ask:
“Who’s wrong?”
we should ask:
“Lord, is there anything wrong in me?”
Before we demand justice from others:
“Am I practicing justice?”

Before we condemn dishonesty:
“Am I truthful?”

Before we demand righteousness from leaders:
“Am I walking righteously?”

That brings us back to Micah 6:8.

DISCUSSION QUESTION

“If every Christian man in our communities consistently practiced Micah 6:8—doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with GOD—what would change?”

Closing Challenge — “STAND”

S — Seek Truth

Don’t believe everything you hear. Search the Word.

T — Take a Stand

Don’t allow fear, popularity, or convenience to determine your convictions.

A — Act Righteously

Don’t fight injustice by becoming unjust.

N — Never Abandon Mercy

Remember that the person on the other side of an issue is still someone GOD created.

D — Depend on GOD
Do what is right and leave the ultimate outcome in His hands.

STAND.

Final thought for Reflection
“When justice is separated from righteousness, the Christian man’s responsibility is not to choose a side—it is to choose GOD.”

Because ultimately, that’s the challenge.
We aren’t called to be defenders of our politics, our nations, our parties, or even our personal opinions.

We are called to be men who defend truth, pursue justice, love mercy, practice
righteousness, and walk humbly before GOD.

And that is something men from America, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, or
anywhere else in the world can sit down together and discuss as brothers.

September 3, 2026
He Emptied Himself
It was on a Monday morning at 9, when Dan and I met at a local coffee shop to do our weekly devotional. The main topic was to read scripture related to the love of God. As we were approaching our one hour time limit for the day, Dan raised an interesting question. Sometime before our meeting he was reading the book of Philippians and he came across this verse in chapter 2. It reads:

⁴Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Dan’s question was how could Jesus empty himself and maintain His identity as both God and Man? On one hand. we understand that Jesus was both man and God. On the other hand, Paul says Jesus emptied himself. To what extent did Jesus empty himself? Some will infer from this that Jesus gave up his deity when He became a man, no longer possessing His attributes of omnipotence and omniscience. How are we to understand what Paul meant when he chose, just this one time, to claim that Jesus emptied Himself? We agreed that this question needed to be address so we decided to meet the following week to continue the discussion. With a week to work on it, we would meet again the following Monday and share insights with each other. Here is the result of our investigation into the word of God.

Evidence:

The original text translated as “emptied”.

ἐκένωσεν (ekenōsen) — 1 Occurrence

Philippians 2:7 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἀλλὰ ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν μορφὴν δούλου
NAS: but emptied Himself, taking
KJV: himself of no reputation, and took upon him
INT: but himself emptied form of a servant

Mounce Reverse Interlinear

κενόω (kenoō)

Strong: G2758

GK: G3033
1. to empty, evacuate; ἑαυτόν, to divest one’s self of one’s prerogatives, abase one’s self, Phil. 2:7;
2. to deprive a thing of its proper functions, Rom. 4:14; 1 Cor. 1:17;
3. to show to be without foundation, falsify, 1 Cor. 9:15; 2 Cor. 9:3
Scripture reading

Matthew 17:1-2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; ²and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Application: In these two verses we see Jesus giving three disciples a very small view of His deity. Only His face shown like the sun and His clothes became white. In contrast to this, Moses also was given the opportunity to have a glimpse at the glory of God. In Exodus 33:19–23 it says:

¹⁹Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” ²⁰But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” ²¹And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. ²²So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. ²³Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

Matthew 8:23-27 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. ²⁴And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. ²⁵Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

²⁶But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. ²⁷So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Application: Exactly! Only the God/man, Jesus Christ! Some may say that when Jesus emptied Himself that He set aside His deity, including His omnipotence. In this passage Jesus demonstrates His total control over His creation. There are only a few places in scripture where Jesus unveiled Himself. One of the other times worth mentioning is where He turned water into wine. In the natural, water will never become wine no mater how much time you allow. Jesus shows His deity with His authority over time and space.

Matthew 14:25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.

Application: Jesus has power over creation. Even gravity will bend to His will.

John 6:19-21 So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. ²⁰But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” ²¹Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

Application: First, He is seen defying gravity and next He defies our place within the framework of time and space and proves that God can operate outside of both time and space.

John 4:4-30 Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ ¹⁸for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

Application: A demonstration of His omniscience by knowing the woman’s past life and present situation.

Luke 4:28-30 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, ²⁹and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. ³⁰Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.

Application: Even while in the grip of His adversary, Jesus is able to disappear not only from their grip but also from their vision and walk through the crowd to safety, further evidence of His omnipotence.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Application: We must never forget that we have the promise of the Holy Spirit. He is our helper in every situation we find ourselves. Whenever we struggle to read and understand the word of God, remember what Jesus told us. “Ask, Seek, Knock”. The Holy Spirit will provide.

Many other verses can be included in this study, but these will be sufficient to draw a conclusion and answer the initial question.

The Conclusion

Throughout Jesus’ three-and-a-half-year ministry we see His ability to perform miracles of healing and casting out devils. His disciples, too, were given authority to perform these same miracles. However, we also see that Jesus demonstrated powers that only He possessed. These unique powers were limited to only isolated circumstances and only in the presence of His inner circle. In other words. Jesus demonstrated one of the gifts of the spirit that is key to understanding Paul’s meaning of the word “emptied”. After all, it was Paul who taught the gifts of the spirit to the Galatians previously in his missionary journey. This gift is the gift of “self-control”, which fits with the words Paul uses in verse 7, “but emptied himself“. He chose to empty Himself. Throughout His life, Jesus represented Himself as an ordinary man. All the while, He was able to exercise self-control and only provide brief glimpses at his God nature. But when He did, what an impact He made on those around Him. One writer describes this as “veiling Himself” from those around Him. Through the power of self-control, Jesus restrained, held back and even hid his deity from those around Him and wisely chose the right opportunity to reveal His full nature, that being the one and only God/man to walk the face of the earth.

Bottom line: Jesus truly was both God and man. He possessed all the prerogatives of the Son of God yet He restrained His use of those in order to fulfill the will of the Father knowing that one day He would be restored to the right hand of the Father.
August 11, 2024
A Minister’s Strength

A prayer from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

by Arthur Bennett

UNCHANGEABLE JEHOVAH

When I am discouraged in my ministry
        and full of doubts of my self,
  fasten me upon the rock of thy eternal election,
    then my hands will not hang down,
    and I shall have hope for myself and others.
Thou dost know thy people by name,
  and wilt at the appointed season
    lead them out of a natural to a gracious state
      by thy effectual calling.
This is the ground of my salvation,
  the object of my desire,
  the motive of my ministry.
Keep me from high thoughts of myself
    or my work,
  for I am nothing but sin and weakness;
    in me no good dwells,
    and my best works are but sin.
Humble me to the dust before thee.
Root and tear out the poisonous weed
    of self-righteousness,
  and show me my utter nothingness;
Keep me sensible of my sinnership;
Sink me deeper into penitence and self-abhorrence;
Break the Dagon of pride in pieces
    before the ark of thy presence;
Demolish the Babel of self-opinion,
    and scatter it to the wind;
Level to the ground my Jericho walls
    of a rebel heart;
Then grace, grace, will be my experience and cry.
I am a poor, feeble creature when faith
    is not in exercise,
  like an eagle with pinioned wings;
Grant me to rest on thy power and faithfulness,
  and to know that there are two things
    worth living for:
  to further thy cause in the world,
  and to do good to the souls and bodies of men;
This is my ministry, my life, my prayer, my end.
Grant me grace that I shall not fail.

July 18, 2024