The Unique Ministry vs. The Unique Food
John 6:31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, “He gave them the bread from heaven to eat.” 』
John 6:32 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it was my Father who gave you the true bread from heaven.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. The bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Him who strengthens me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to a ministry.
2 Corinthians 3:6 He has qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
|
Aspect |
The Unique Ministry |
The Unique Food |
|---|---|---|
|
Meaning |
• The sole ministry in the New Testament for ministering and supplying Christ • A stewardship of the Spirit, not of the letter |
• Christ Himself as the heavenly manna • The only spiritual sustenance and satisfaction for God's people |
|
Distinction |
• The channel and means of supply • Focuses on how to serve and transmit Christ |
• The content being supplied itself • Emphasizes the object to be received and enjoyed |
|
Examples |
• The twelve apostles sharing one ministry • The ministry of Apostle Paul |
• The manna in the wilderness • Christ as our daily life supply |
|
Application |
• Maintaining the pure ministry in church life • Rejecting other different "ministries" |
• Daily enjoying Christ as the bread of life • Making Christ our only satisfaction |
|
Relationship |
• The sole purpose of ministry is to supply Christ • Ministry and food form a relationship between supplier and supplied |
• Food is supplied through the ministry • Christ is the content and goal of the ministry |
|
Related Verses |
• 2 Cor 4:1: "Therefore, having this ministry as we have received mercy" • 2 Cor 3:6: "Who has made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant" • Acts 1:17: "He was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry" |
• Num 11:6: "There is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes" • John 6:57: "As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me" • Phil 1:20-21: "Christ will be magnified in my body" |
Conclusion:
This comparative table illustrates the close but distinct relationship between ministry and food: ministry is the channel of supply, while Christ is the content being supplied. Both work together to provide believers with spiritual nourishment and life growth.
*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 16 Our Spiritual Food, Our Spiritual Rock, and the Contents of the Lord’s Feast
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