Ministry by Means of Death and Resurrection

We have just studied how we are set free from the authority of the Law of Moses, from the guilt of sin, from the force of sin, and from slavery to our self-will.

As we grow in eternal life the time arrives when we are ready to influence other people. The resurrection life that is releasing us from slavery to sin has become strong enough to reach out and release others.

The crucifixion of Christ, into which we have entered by faith in order to gain release from sin and self-will, now becomes more of a reality. Things happen to us that conform us to the death of Christ, that bring us continually down to weakness and death.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (II Corinthians 4:8-10) We now are sharing the sufferings of Christ. We actually are experiencing the kind of death He died.

We are speaking of the saint who has grown in eternal life until he is ready to bring the Divine Life to others.

We see the pattern in the Book of Ezekiel.

The portrayal is that of the person who comes to the Door of the house (Christ-the Door of the eternal Temple of God) and then looks eastward to the coming of the Lord.

Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. (Ezekiel 47:1,2)

Immediately the seeker is faced with judgment (the man with the line in his hand) and with the waters of eternal life. Judgment and eternal life always go together, as we noted in the sixth chapter of Romans. The flaming sword of the judgment of God still turns in every direction to guard the way of the tree of life. Eternal life is given only as we choose continually (make a judgment) to turn away from wickedness and to yield to the righteous ways of the Lord.

And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ancles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. (Ezekiel 47:3-5)

As we move toward the Day of the Lord, toward the fullness of eternal life, there are waters to the ankles-the beginning stage of redemption. Then waters to the knees-the Spirit of God is beginning to affect our walk, that is, the Holy Spirit is enabling us to live a holy life.

We press into waters to the loins-the place of strength and reproduction, dominion and fruitfulness. If we keep moving forward there are waters to swim in-the fullness of life lived in the eternal Spirit of God.

What is next?

And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. (Ezekiel 47:6)

We are brought back to the "brink of the river" in order that we may grow there as a tree of life. Then out from our belly flows the river of life that brings eternal life to the dead sea of mankind. With the greatest joy we bring forth water from the wells of salvation so whoever chooses to do so may drink freely of Divine Life.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:3)

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3)

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)

And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. (Ezekiel 47:9)

The Glory of the Lord shall cover the earth when the waters of eternal life make alive the dead sea of mankind.

This is the experience the Apostle Paul was having.

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. (II Corinthians 4:11,12)

Paul always was being brought down to the death of the cross. Paul always was being raised by the resurrection Life of the Lord Jesus. The overflow of the Divine Life was bringing release and eternal Life to those to whom the Apostle Paul was ministering. The eternal life that proceeded from the "death" of Paul continues to bring release and Life to this very moment.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. (Acts 16:25,26)

"Every one's bands were loosed" when the Apostles were released from prison.

The overflow of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus always brings the dead out of their graves.

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Matthew 27:52,53)

All true ministry comes from the cross. It is only as we are brought down to death and then raised by the Lord that we are able to bring His Presence and Life to other people.

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (II Corinthians 1:4)

The crucifixion and resurrection that deliver us from sin and death are the only true source of resurrection life for those to whom we minister.