The the Ministry of the Saints--dying to Self — Aaron Hurst

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The Highway of Holiness and Life in Christ

Amen, Lord. Father, lead us to Christ, the living way, Father. Nor let us from thy pastor stray, O Lord our God. Father, lead us to holiness, the road that we must take to dwell with God. Isaiah described it as a highway of holiness.

O God, lead us to the highway of holiness. Cast up the stones, Lord. O God, make straight paths, Lord, for the feet of your saints today, Lord. O God. And then, Lord, lead us to heaven, its bliss to share, fullness of joy forever there.

Hallelujah, Lord. O God. Lord, we do thank you. We thank you and praise you for the life that is in Christ Jesus. It's an abundant life. It's a full life. O God, today we pray that you would just baptize us, Lord, as a congregation here, a little band and lowly.

Father, with the Spirit of the living God upon our hearts, Lord, in this service continuing on here today together. Thank you, Lord, that where two or three are gathered in your name, there you are in the midst.

And, Father, we have the confidence that you're here, Lord. O God, we pray in Jesus' name, Lord. O come, thy presence manifesting, Lord. O come and break down every wall or every resistance against the Spirit of the living God.

O Lord, draw with cords of love the hearts that are estranged from you, Lord. Those that are not yet saved, Lord. O God, those that are yet wandering out in the hills of sin, Lord. O by your Spirit, Lord, would you draw them unto yourself, Father.

O precious Jesus. And, Lord, we do pray that you would anoint your word to our hearts today, Lord. Father, I'm not worthy, Lord, but I do trust you, God. And I do pray in Jesus' name, O Father, please come and help me, Lord.

Who's fit, who's sufficient for these things, Lord? But, God, through Christ Jesus, you make us able ministers. So, Father, we look away from ourselves and we look unto Jesus. And, Lord, I just do pray, I dare not trust my own.

I dare not trust my own, Lord. Father, please set a watch upon my heart and just order this message as it pleases you, Lord. And, Father, give grace to the congregation to receive. In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen. You may be seated. God bless you all today. I can agree with Brother Mel. There's a joy in my heart to come to the house of the Lord and meet with the saints of God. The redeemed, the blood washed.

Hallelujah. What for heart did you bring this morning? An upturned, open heart. I trust you have. God bless you. Visitors as well today, we're glad you have come to share with us. You're dropping in on the middle of some things that God is doing in our midst.

And the message just keeps growing in my heart. And so I trust the Lord, do not weary of my continuing to preach the theme of the ministry of the saints. The ministry of the saints. This title is found out in the verses in 1 Corinthians 16.

And verse 15 he says, I beseech you, brethren, you know the house of Stephanas. That is the first fruits of Achaia, in that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints. They have consecrated themselves to this ministry.

They have devoted themselves. They have made this a priority in their life. This ministry to the saints. They have given themselves to the attendance as a servant. As a bond servant. As a slave. To the saints.

To the ministry. To the relief and the service of the Christian family. The saints of the household of God. We've looked at a number of different aspects of this ministry. And I suppose if I could give it a title today.

The ministry of the saints. Dying to self. Or it could be titled, laying down my rights. Open your Bibles with me to John chapter 13. As we look at the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. John chapter 13.

Christ’s Example of Humble Servanthood

Oh, he loved his own. He loved them with a sacrificial love. And he loved them unto the end. It tells us. And then he gives us this beautiful example. John 13 verse 3. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands.

And that he was come from God and went to God. He rises from supper. And laid aside his garments and took a towel. And girded himself. After that he poured water into a basin. And began to wash the disciples' feet.

And to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter. And Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him. What I do thou knowest not now.

But thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him. Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him. If I wash thee not. Thou has no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him. Lord, not my feet only.

But also my hands and my head. Jesus saith unto him. He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet. But is clean every wit. And ye are clean but not all. For he knew who should betray him. Therefore said he.

Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet. And had taken his garments. And was set down again. He said unto them. Know ye what I have done to you. Ye call me master and lord. And ye say well.

For so I am. If I then. Your lord and master. Had washed your feet. Ye also ought to wash. One another's feet. For I have given you an example. That ye should do. As I have done to you. Verily. Verily I say unto you.

The servant is not greater than his lord. Neither he that is sent. Greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things. Happy are ye if you do them. Jesus. Lord. And master. Gave an example to the disciples that day.

When he took a towel. And he girded himself. And he washed their feet. How do you wash someone else's feet? You get right down. Like this. And you take their feet. In your hands. And you wash their feet.

Jesus said. Do you know what I did to you? They didn't answer him. I believe they were speechless. Do you know what I have done? You see a little earlier. They were striding about who's going to be the greatest in the kingdom.

Who's going to sit at his right hand. And here's their lord and master. Humbling himself. And washing their feet. He said. I have given you an example. That as I have done to you. So ye shall also do.

To one another. Ye ought to wash one another's feet. Now I believe it's very possible. To go through the motions of a foot washing service. But Jesus was going far deeper than that. He said. If I am your lord.

And ye say well. Because I am your lord. If I have washed your feet. Ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example. As I have done to you. The servant is not greater than his lord.

Neither he that is greater than he that sent him. True greatness in the kingdom of God. Is humility. And servanthood. And ministry. And humbleness. And abasing ourselves. And exalting our brothers. And washing their feet.

When I was. In a certain fellowship. With some brethren. We had a brothers meeting. And there was some strife in the meeting. And the spirit of God came down upon an individual. After the meeting. And spoke to his heart.

And the next day. It was not that very night. But the next day. He was deeply convicted and humbled. And we met together to reconcile. And at the end of the reconciliation. He said does anyone. Have a basin.

And a towel. And the brother. Who was stirred up in flesh. The night before in the brothers meeting. Took a towel. Said please my brother. I want to wash your feet. And he took a towel. And they went together.

And he washed his feet. Oh it was beautiful. How do we wash. One another's feet. In the book of Acts. In chapter 20 verse 35. Don't need to turn there. We have the example. Of the apostles. And he said there as.

He met with the elders. He said I have showed you all things. How that so laboring. He ought to support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus. How he said it is more blessed to give. Than to receive.

You know a servant's heart. Is always looking. For opportunities. To wash the saint's feet. I believe there is a. There is a. Heart that just. Is waiting for opportunity. To serve. And is sensitive. To the needs.

Around them. And washing feet. Oh it can be. Changing a flat tire. It can be. Fixing a faucet. It can be cooking a meal. It can be cleaning the house. It can be helping in the shop. It can also be. Giving a listening ear.

To someone who is burdened. And just need someone to talk to. With skin on. Maybe you don't even have to give him counsel. Just listen. With an understanding. Gracious heart. Not judging. Not despising.

But just listening. And caring. So laboring you ought to support the weak. How shall we do this? Brethren. He had been called unto liberty. Only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh. But by love.

Serve one another. By the love of Christ. The life of Christ within. The love of Christ constraining us. By love. Wash one another's feet. Be kindly affection one to another with brotherly love. In honor.

Preferring one another. Let it be your rule for life. Let brotherly love continue. And continue. Aaron you said that last time. Yes I did. It's still true today. Let brotherly love continue. Love for your fellow believers.

Let it be a fixed practice in your heart. Never let it fail. How do we do this? Oh. To wash one another's feet. Is not always convenient. Is it? It takes dying to self. It takes laying down my life. In other words.

It takes sacrifice. To do good. And to communicate. Forget not. For with such sacrifices. God is well pleased. Don't neglect. This ministry. It's vital. To the life. And health of the body. How shall we do this?

We then. That are strong ought to bear the infirmities. Of the weak. And not to please ourselves. There it is again. It's self denial. It's laying down my life. The ministry of the saints. Laying down my rights.

Christian Liberty and the Duty Not to Stumble Others

I think I'll just go through these scriptures. If you will allow me to. Rather than have you turn to them. Let's just listen. To the word of God. I'll give you the reference. First Corinthians 10. 24.

Let no man seek his own. But every man another's wealth. Let no man seek his own rights. His own. Pleasure pleasing himself. His own. Advantage. Let no man seek his own. Honor. But let every man. Seek another's wealth.

Another's blessing. Another's prosperity. Now the context of this. Is given in light of eating meat. Offered to idols. And he goes on to say. For whatever is sold in shambles that eat. Asking no question for conscience sakes.

For the earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof. So that which is sold in the shambles. Or in the meat market. Where they sell meat. That was perhaps offered unto idols. You go in there. And you buy your meat.

And you have the knowledge and conscience. That is exercised by reason of knowing the truth. And you know the earth is the Lord. And the fullness thereof. So you can go buy that meat. And you can eat it with a clear conscience.

However. He's not finished yet. If any of them. That believe not bid you to a feast. Then ye be disposed to go. Whatsoever is set before you eat. Asking no question for conscience sake. So he gives liberty.

To go to one. That is an unbeliever. And come to his dinner table. And eat the food that he has prepared. And he says. Eat whatsoever is set before you. Eat. Asking no question for conscience sake. Because you know.

That an idol is nothing. And you know. The earth is the Lord. And the fullness thereof. So with that conscience. Illuminated and enlightened. Eat. But. Verse 28. If any man say unto you. This is offering sacrifice to idols.

Eat not. For his sake that showed it. And for conscience sake. For. The earth is the Lord. And the fullness thereof. That weak brother. Who for weak conscience. Cannot eat that meat. He belongs to God.

So don't you eat. For conscience sake. Not your own. You're free to eat. If there's no one else there. With weak conscience. Who will be defiled by your eating this meat. Now. Conscience I say. Not thine own.

But of the other. Well now listen. Why is my liberty judged. Of another man's conscience. Now we're getting right down to practical things. I know the idol is nothing. That's a good steak. And I'm hungry.

And I have all sorts of reasons. It would please me well. I need strength. I need energy for the journey. I can't take. This meat. And there's nothing wrong with it. Oh but. At what expense. Can I flaunt my liberties.

Why is my liberty judged. Of another man's conscience. For if I by grace. Be a partaker. Why am I evil spoken of. For that which I give thanks. How so. First reading to eight verse nine. Take heed. Lest by any means is liberty of yours.

Become a stumbling block. To them that are weak. And again he's addressing the same issue. In first reading date. If any man see thee. Which have knowledge. Sit at meat in the idols temple. Now this about.

Is hard for me to grasp. Sitting in the. Idolatrous temple. What he's saying. If any man see thee which have knowledge. Sit at meat in the idols temple. Without the conscience of him that is weak. Be emboldened to eat those things.

Which are offered to idols. And through thy knowledge. That the earth is the Lord's. And the fullness thereof. And the idol is nothing. And there is nothing unclean of itself. I as a Christian. Can go get a meal.

In the idols temple. Is that what he's saying. It almost seems like that. He says. You're sitting at meat. And then one who is weak. Says oh. Because you're doing it. I can do it too. But. His conscience being weak.

And. Through. Thy knowledge. That the idols nothing. That the meat offered to idols is nothing. Through thy knowledge. Shall the weak brother perish. For whom Christ died. But when ye sin so against the brethren.

And wound their weak conscience. Ye sin against Christ. Laying down. My life. For the ministry. Of the saints. I wonder. How many. Weak consciences have been emboldened. To do something. That they could not do in faith.

Because their heart was not enlightened. And understanding. And so therefore. They do it not in faith. And it's sin. To them. So Paul says. In Romans 14 verse 15. If thy brother be green with thy meat.

Now. Walkest thou not charitably. Or in love. Now these are hard words to hear. In American Christendom. Where everybody does right in their own eyes. And I'm free to do what I want. I'm free to drive what I want.

I'm free to wear what I want. I'm free to go where I want. And I don't have to answer to any man. It's just between me and Jesus. Is that sound doctrine? No. And many weak conscience are emboldened. And enter into sin.

Because they see another Christian doing it. Well maybe. She can. But you cannot. Maybe he can. But you cannot. But brethren. If thy brother. Be green with thy meat. Now walkest thou not in love. Isn't the principle.

Of ministering to the saints. Rooted and grounded in love. And in love for my brother. In love for my sister. In wanting to see them prosper. In wanting to see them grow. Wanting to see them abound. He says let not.

Then your good be evil spoken of. For the kingdom of God. Is not in meat and drink. Don't make such a big issue. Over that steak. I mean. What am I willing to lay down. For the spiritual wherefore of my brother.

And my sister. A piece of meat. Put in there whatever you wish. The kingdom of God. Is not in meat and drink. But. Righteousness. Peace. And joy. In the Holy Ghost. Righteousness. Peace. Follow after those things.

Which make for peace. You know you can be right. Sitting at that. Idol's temple eating your steak. But if your brother. With weakened conscience. Sees you sitting there. And he says. He can do it. I can too.

Destroy not him with thy meat. For whom Christ died. Destroy not him with thy liberty. My rights. The ministry of the saints. Means laying down my rights. Let us therefore follow after the things. Which make for peace.

And things were with one may edify another. For meat. Destroy not the work of God. Indeed. All things indeed are pure. But it is evil for that man. Who eateth with offense. Evil for that man. So what shall we conclude?

It is good. It is righteous. Neither to eat flesh. Nor to drink wine. Nor anything whereby thy brother. Stumbleth. Or is offended. Or is made weak. All things are lawful. For me. Says Paul. But all things are not expedient.

Just because they are lawful. Does not mean they are expedient. All things are lawful for me. But all things edify not. First Corinthians 10 .23. Wherefore. Paul concludes. If meat make my brother to offend.

I will eat no flesh. While the work of God. In the world standeth. Lest I make my brother to offend. Paul you are pretty radical. You mean you will give up. Those good stakes for the rest of your life.

What is that little bit of meat. Compared to the soul of a brother. The Bible says. Destroy not him with thy meat. And that word destroy. In its context means. By your own conduct. Cause another to lose eternal salvation.

Out of failure. That is what it says. That is strong. Paul. Why is my conscience judged. My liberties judged. By another brother. He says destroy not him. And he also says for meat. Destroy not the work of God.

Pretty strong words here for us. This morning. I will not eat any meat. I will not drink any wine. Whether he's cruel. Or whether stumbleth. Or is offended. Or is made weak. So what is the conclusion brethren.

Romans 14: Grace, Conscience, and Refusing to Judge

Romans 14. This will be a whole message in itself. So please bear with me. I will not have time. To give it all that it needs. But let's listen to the conclusion. From Romans 14. Pains. Another who is weak eateth herbs.

Okay, so what shall we do about this? In the Church of Jesus Christ, one says, I won't eat any meat. I mean with this business of it having an appearance of evil, connected to idolatrous worship, I am not going to eat meat.

I am taking a stand against that thing. One believeth he may eat all things. He says, brother, you are taking it too far. In my conscience, I am free to eat meat. What is the conclusion? What is the right way?

What shall we do with this issue in the church? Some will eat meat, some won't. Shall we make an agreement and everyone agree to it? Decide which way is right and make an agreement and settle this meat issue for once and for all?

Shall we? Is that what we shall do? And bring every man's conscience to bear into our conclusion and decision? Shall we do that? Romans 14, 3. Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not. And let not him which eateth not, judge him that eateth.

Why? Because he is a sinner. Because God has received him. What if I judge my brother and I say, you are sinning by what you are doing. You are eating meat. It is wrong. We have to settle this matter and decide on this thing.

And we have to make a judgment here. Brethren, I think we do err if we carry some of these things too far beyond what the scriptures teach. Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not. And say, well I am strong in my conscience.

I can eat. You baby Christian, when are you going to grow up? Or the one who eateth not. Say, I am strong. I don't have to eat that meat. I like steaks too. But I gave them up. And you ought to too if you are going to be spiritual and despise him.

Why do you judge your brethren in these matters? For God has received him. Who art thou that judges another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or followeth. Yea, he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand.

And it is not just meat we are talking about. One man esteemeth one day above another. Another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Why? Because he that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord.

And he that regardeth not the day, unto the Lord he does not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks. And he that eateth not to the Lord, he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Do we understand that? They both have right hearts, don't they? They are both giving thanks unto God. They are both persuaded in their own mind that they are doing the right thing for the glory of God.

And are they both doing it for the glory of God? Are they? Yes. None of us lives to himself. No man dies to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord. Whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord's.

For to this end both, for this end Christ both died and rose and revived that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why dost thou judge thy brother? And why dost thou set at naught thy brother?

And people do this. This is very sad. When we set at naught a brother, that means putting him aside, belittling him, counting him as less than a new creation in Christ, Brother Jeff. Counting him as less of a saint of God, because he has not arrived yet at my persuasion and my conviction on this matter of meat or of feasts and new moons and Sabbaths.

And so therefore we set him at naught. This is sin. This is not right. Why dost thou judge thy brother? Or set him at naught? And he says, set at naught thy brother. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

As it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God. So every one of us then shall give account of himself to God. You know this almost seems contradictory to what I was saying earlier, but it's not.

Just hear it out. So what's the conclusion? Paul please tell us, how shall the church at Rome function? We have these that are set in their mind and fully persuaded in their conscience and they have conviction about these things, we're not eating meat.

And we have others who say, I'm persuaded, I give thanks to God and I eat meat. What is the answer? Well let us remember. Brethren, no man liveth or dieth to himself and every man shall give an account to God.

And he says, let's conclude this with this. Let us not therefore judge one another anymore. Let us not judge one another anymore in areas of grace and liberty to individual conscience before God. Let us not judge one another anymore, but judge this rather.

Now here, be hard on yourself and judge this, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. See now it all goes right back to where we started. Your brother's greed with your meat, don't want to eat it.

Lay down your life, lay down your rights. Even though you have liberty, use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. What am I willing to give up? What am I willing to lay down for my brother or my sister?

Brethren, ye that are spiritual, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye that are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. It takes real spirituality and Christian maturity.

And I don't confess that I have arrived. I have not arrived. But I wonder if I could share some things this morning. And just be courageous. He that is spiritual, when one is overtaken in a fault, restore that one with Matthew 18.

Matthew 18 and Restoring an Erring Brother

Matthew 18 speaks of relationships in the church, in the brotherhood. It teaches us how to deal with sin. It teaches us how to deal with erring brethren. It tells us that if your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault between thee and him.

With how many others along? None. Go tell him his fault between thee and him alone. Is this a command of Jesus? Is this one we can just push off and disobey? Can we push that one off anymore and disobey it than we can?

Let the woman be veiled. Let her be covered. If thy brother sinned against thee, go and tell. Go and tell him his fault. If he neglect to hear thee, then share it with the other brethren in the congregation as a prayer request.

And let them know out of your concern for this brother. No, no he doesn't say that. If he neglect to hear thee, then take with thee one or two more. That in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established.

And entreat your brother, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Oh, if he will hear thee at the first, you have gained your brother. And nobody else knew about it. Now how about that for church relationships?

How about that for ministry of the saints in the body of Christ? If he will hear thee at the second admonition, thou has gained thy brother. And only three at the most know about it. Isn't that beautiful?

Isn't that wonderful? Didn't our Lord Jesus give us some very clear commandments and directions on how to function in a brotherhood? You know, as I was meditating on this for a long time, I don't come here this morning and just say these things.

I trembled, said, Lord, am I at a place where I can say these things? So look at the other wicked, evil scenario, hellish, devilish scenario. My brother has sinned against me. Now they tell me Jesus' way is best.

Or is our wisdom better? Is our way better? They caught her that day with evil motives in their heart. Yes, she's a sinner. They say they caught her in the act. They say. But their wicked, evil hearts are giving themselves away because it takes two to commit the sin that they bring her before Jesus concerning.

But they bring just the woman. Jesus sees through their hypocrisy. He sees through their wickedness of their hearts. And he stoops down and begins to ride on the ground. Doesn't tell us what he wrote.

But one by one from the eldest to the youngest, they all left, all the accusers left. As Jesus said, he that is without sin among you, let him first cast the stone. They left being convicted one by one.

Are we somehow like that also, but just don't see it? If we use the methods of the of telling others about the sin that is only known between two people, are we not picking up stones and the gossip starts going?

You know, I'd just like to make an application here this morning. He that is without sin, the sin of neglecting to tell your brother before, between thee and him alone, and taking another witness, and then finally bringing it to the church.

And even if he'll hear the church after the whole congregation is aware of it, you still have gained your brother. But if he will not hear then, then let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican and not once before.

Not once before. Is that right? See, I just want to bring this home to my own heart as well. He that is without the sin of omitting to tell the fault between thee and him alone. You know, and I just plead with us.

We have people standing up here Sunday by Sunday, different times giving testimony and saying, if you see anything in my life that is not Christ-like, please come and tell me. But we excuse ourselves.

We say, well, I don't have a relationship with that person. Matthew 18 doesn't say anything like that at all. It says, if your brother sins, or if he offends you, go tell him his fault between thee and him alone.

This is very, this is the deep burden of my heart in this message. You know, it takes, it takes a self-denial. It takes a spiritual love to go in and treat one that is erring. It's a lot easier to go and tell.

How many found that out already? It's a lot easier to go and tell someone else as a prayer concern and as a burden. But have you talked to them? If you haven't talked to them, I believe it's like picking up stones.

Lord, help us that those among us who are wrestling with issues and sin will know that they are loved and they'll know that they are cherished because our love puts shoes on it and finds its way to their door after having prayed.

He says, if you see a man sinning, 1 John, that is a sin that is not unto death, ye shall pray for it. Ye shall pray for it. And then ye shall go share with them. Or do we have the mentality, we just want to get rid of them.

They're not walking in all of the fullness of Christian maturity that I am. They should have gotten it long already. I can eat strong meat. I'm a mature man. What's wrong with this other person? And so we're ready to stone them and just get them out of the way.

They're a blot to our church. Halt. There is a time for excommunication. There's a time to root out the sin. There is not 11. There is. But it's the right time. There's issues that are serious. And to defer would be sin.

But there's issues where there's grace to be given one to another. And to demand unity of conscience in the area would be sin. Oh Lord, help us. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good edification.

Let us seek to build one another up. Let us seek to edify in the body of Christ. You know, I know this is a heavy message. And I'd like to bring more of a positive closure here. How shall we do this? How shall we lay down our life?

Giving, Hospitality, and the Practical Ministry of the Saints

How shall we minister to the saints in the body of Christ? In 2 Corinthians 9 .6 he says, This I say, he which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly. And he which soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully.

As every man has purposed in his heart, so let him give, not scrudgingly or in necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver. You know, when I think of the ministry of the saints, and I think of the house of Stephanus, and how they had addicted themselves to the ministry, I believe they saw.

I believe they saw the value in the body of Christ, and of giving themselves to that ministry, and laying down their lives. I believe they saw what fruit it would bring, what glory to God it would bring.

Ministry to the saints is very practical. It is a very practical outworking. We do it on purpose. It's a ministry that desires and reaches out to bridge the gaps, and to bring those along. It's a very practical ministry.

It's hospitable. You get together on purpose to hear another brother's heart on a Sunday afternoon hospitality. You get together to know each other, and to share hearts about real issues. It has so many outworkings.

I did feel like I differentiated more than I should have in the last time I shared in outer court ministry, and inner court ministry, and I described outer court ministry as ministry in physical things, and those which are ministering to the person, to the personal, physical needs, and then versus the spiritual needs.

But I want to say here today that I do believe they flow together. And as ministry is shared in the outward physical needs, it opens the door to heart ministry in needs of the heart. And I know that ministry of hospitality, especially to you sisters, it requires a lot of sacrifice.

You are already home schooling. You are already a busy mom, keeping home, home making, and to take a meal to another sister, or to go help her clean house, or to send your daughter away to go help a young mother with a baby, it is sacrifice.

And I do not mean, I did not mean in the other message to minimize that or lower it, that it's not an important ministry. It is very important. When I think of all that you sisters do, and the extra work that it brings to you, when we have hospitality, and we men can invite people home just like that, you know, and we expect you to have the meal ready.