Before selling off a stack of talk outlines from the sixties that I had from
my elder days, I photocopied one that has a lot of good organization stuff in
it. I just scanned it in and didn't have time to proof-read it, but figure
most of you have never seen any of this. Great stuff, especially the part about how the don't "vote" on matters of direction/policy!
It is designated as No. 10, 2/66, "Appreciating Jehovah's Organization." Of course we do! Rand
APPRECIATING JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION
JEHOVAH GOD ORGANIZES HIS CREATURES SO THAT HIS ENTIRE ORGANIZATIO
FUNCTIONS THEOCRATICALLY, FROM TOP DOWN (15 min.)
Who decides how this organization is to operate? Who determines?
how we are going to carry on the ministry?
Is it the congregation, by voting on the matter? No
Does the congregation overseer decide it all? No
Ezekiel's vision shows Jehovah directs heavenly organization through
his spirit; operates from top down (Ezek. chap.1)
Ezekiel saw four living creatures, each with four faces; wheels
within wheels rims full of eyes; Jehovah on throne
Jehovah is seen upon throne above, indicating Jehovah's superiority
over his organization (1: 25-28)
Four living creatures picture Jehovah's organization of the heavens
(1: 5) (w60 4ff) :
God's spirit directs movement of creatures (organization) (Read
Ezekiel 1 :12, 20)
'Wheel in the midst of a wheel' made forward movement in all four
directions readily possible under direction of holy spirit (Read
Ezekiel 1: 16, 17 and explain principle of operation of the wheels,
using footnotes in large~print lJW)
Filled with eyes-wide-awake, alert
Likewise with his visible organization, which reflects characteristics
of heavenly, God through his spirit determines its direction,
movement, activities in which it will engage
Jehovah has his universal organization organized into eleient
arrangement to accomplish his work (1 Cor. 14: 33; qm 347
Why is this of interest to us7 We cooperate with them
On earth overseers uphold Jehovah's sovereignty in congregation;
sometimes barring wrongdoers from organization, somewhat like cherubs
of Genesis 3: 24
If we appreciate work of cherubs, we will recognize.Jehovah's
rulership, cooperate with overseer and our heavenly brothers,
the cherubs
Seraphs purge out uncleanness from the organization and declare
Jehovah's glory (Gist of Isaiah 6:1-7)
Shows God keenly interested in cleanliness of his organization
We on earth should not tolerate immorality or any uncleanness,
which would cast reproach on organization
We learn we should endeavor to do whatever brings glory to Jehovah
(Read 1 Corinthians 10: 31)
Thereby we cooperate with our heavenly brothers, the seraphs,
who have same God and Father we do
Other angels assigned as messengers (Refer to accounts at 2 Rings
1: 3 and Matthew 2 :13)
In bringing God's message to people we cooperate with and imitate
heavenly angels (Rev. 14: 6, 7)
A grand privilege to work with angels who stand in presence
of Ancient of Days and minister to him
God likens his heavenly organization of spirit creatures to a
wife and mother, subject to him (w60 46)
Heavenly organization acts as helpmate to Jehovah; has always
been faithful to her "husbandly owner" (Isa. 54: 5)
Heavenly organization acts as "mother" to earthly organization
and teaches her sons Jehovah's will (Read Galatians 4: 26 and refer
to Isaiah 54: 13)
Heavenly organization has motherly qualities of love, tender affection,
protective care; provides strong 6upport for earthly (Read Hebrews 1: 14)
At times it may appear earthly organization working alone but
through eyes of faith we know we have strong support
Terrified attendant of Elisha had to have his eyes opened miraculously
to appreciate close support given by "mother" organization
(Read 2 Kings fi :15-17)
True, too, in preaching work
Jesus Christ likened to Bridegroom who takes a wife; Bride, subject
to Christ, made up of 144,000 anointed followers
Christ and his Bride serve as capital part of God's organization
There is no rivalry but close interworking
Both Christ and Bride are part of God's universal organization
and do not act independently, for organization operates from top down
ESUS CHRIST USED BY GOD AS ORGANIZER OF THE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION
(10 min.)
at Jehovah's appointed time God sent his only-begotten Son, the most
qualified of heavenly creatures, to earth to lay foundation for
christian congregation
Jesus on earth taught disciples, gave them personal training in
field ministry, conducted meetings with them; we today follow
what pattern
When Jesus returned to heaven, holy spirit reminded them what he
had said, remained strong tie with heavenly organization (Read John
4: 26; Aets 1: 8)
stimulated to activity at Pentecost
Moved Peter to preach to Gentiles; it was not his idea (Gist of
Acts 10: 9-16; read Acts 10: 44, 45, 47)
Early Christian congregation organized by Jesus in theocratic way
as exemplified by Jesus, who always referred to God's written
word, early congregation based wholly upon Bible
By Jesus' pouring out holy spirit on apostles made them
"foundation stones" and main overseers of Christian
congregation (Rev. 21: 14)
Later on, Jesus directly appointed Paul as apostle; Paul spoke
of himself as Paul, an apostle, neither from men nor through a
man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father (Gal. 1 :1)
The apostles with mature brothers from Jerusalem congregation
made up visible governing body (w54 532)
Recognition of visible governing body had strengthening effect
(w54 535)
When dissension arose in Antioch congregation over circumcision
of Gentiles, Paul and Barnabas took matter to governing body.
Governing body stated right conclusion and congregations informed
by letter of decision (Read Acts 16: 4, 5)
Recognizing governing body today has same strengthening effect
WHO REALLY IS "THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE"
APPOINTED OVER ALL THE MASTER'S BELONGINGSS VITAL TO KNOW ANSWER
AND WORK WITH "SLAVE" t10 min.)
Why did Jesus bring up the matter of the "faithful and
discreet slave" in question form (Read Matthew 24: 45-47 and
comment on fact that verse 45 is a question)
By asking question Jesus indicated a vital question would affect
each one who would claim to be a Christian; we would need to
identify "slave" and then associate with organization
"Faithful and discreet slave" class existed in
apostolic times and faithfully and discreetly fed its
"domestics"
(w60 435)
Jesus committed supervision to "slave" class, anointed
Christians who functioned back there as servant body
Jesus raised question regarding prophetic end of this system
of things when many organizations would vie for position to be
instrumentality through which Jesus would feed domestics
Nn S 2/66 Printed in U.S.A.
(Page2)
"Slave" class in modern times i s made up
of all Christians anointed to be joint heirs with Christ and
now associated with Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
Even within ranks of anointed Christians identity of
"slave" was a question for some time, since some
thought "slave" was one man (jp ff8, 69)
In 1927 Isaiah 43:10-12 was appealed to, to make it clear
"slave" class is body, not individual (Watchtower,
2/15/27, page 63)
Master foretold he would make "slave" class ruler of
"all his belongings," a new status for when Master
returns
Belongings do not refer to what is in heaven but to what is on
earth-the valuables in connection with the established Kingdom,
committed by Jesus to "faithful and discreet slave"
Whereas "slave" class was once responsible for feeding
only anointed Christians ("domestics"- individual
members of anointed class), now has responsibility to feed all
sheeplike ones, preaching good news earth wide
Vital to identify "faithful and discreet slave" class and
then accept food from it and cooperate with it
Governing body of "faithful and discreet slave" acts as
human intermediary in appointing overseers (w58 46)
Since appointment is made in harmony with requirements in Bible,
appointment is really made by holy spirit (Read Ae.ts 20: 28)
Description of one who qualifies as an overseer set out in 1 Timothy
3 and Titus 1
Overseers accountable to organization as represented by governing
body and especially to Jehovah
RECOGNIZE GOD'S ORGANIZATION AND DISCERN GOD'S DIRECTION, NOT TAKING
A HUMAN VIEWPOINT OF SERVANTS AND THEOCRATIC MATTERS (10 min.)
How should we view the appointed servants and overseers? How do
you feel about them ?
Remember they are appointed by holy spirit
Do not take human view as did Miriam and Aaron, who had difficulty
in recognizing organizational arrangement with their younger brother
Moses as appointed servant in charge ((list of Numbers 12 :1-16)
Show proper respect for them
Just because overseers are approachable, do not elevate themselves
above us, may be inclined not to take them seriously, to lose
respect for them, thinking they do not mount to much
If they were leaders in churches and were called bishops and wore
special robes, were offish, then we might stand in awe of them
But Christian overseers mingle with us; do not lose respect for
them because of this, taking human viewpoint
Cooperate with them, obeying instructions coming from organization
( Read Hebrews 13: 17)
What attitude should you take when you think the servants are wrong?
Continue faithfully serving with organization and wait for Jehovah
to correct matters in his due time and way
Joshua and Caleb good examples of sticking loyally with organization,
though most of the people thought Jehovah's direction was wrong
(av54 539, 540)
Rewarded by entering Promised Land; rebels perished in wilderness
David a good example to follow, for though persecuted by King
Saul, he recognized Saul's appointment
When David's nephew asked permission to slay Saul with just one
blow, David said No ((list of 1 Samuel 26 :1-13, reading verses 8-11)
David did not take a human view of matters, trying to correet
things his way, but waited for God to correct them
We should be like David, Joshua and Caleb, not taking the human
viewpoint when things seem to be wrong
No need for us to take course like Uzzah and try to 'steady the
mark' when not appointed to do so (1 Chron. 13: 9, 10)
What is your attitude toward older ones in positions of responsibility?
Sometimes young ones get impatient, want to push ahead and do
it themselves, feeling older ones are too slow
But take warning example from account of Saul and aged Samuel
Saul thought aged Samuel was delaying and pushed ahead to offer
sacrifice when he had been instructed otherwise (Read 1 Samuel
10: 8; give gist of 1 Samuel 13: 5-14, explaining verse 12 and
the consequences)
So be patient with the aged, cooperate with them; may not have
energy of youth but have experience and maturity
Instead of seeking to take over their appointed work, help them
get the work done
Do you judge propriety of all activities simply in the light of
whether the organization disfellowships for such?
Govern conduct by principles set out in Bible; discussed in Watch
Tower publications to help you get God's mind on matters, not
to make rules
Do not take view that if there is no punishment from organization
it must be all right
Rather, demonstrate maturity in applying Bible standards, showing
love for God and neighbors
With love we seek to do what is advantageous, not viewing it solely
as to whether it is "lawful" (Read 1 Corinthians 10:
23, 24)
What if one differs with "faithful and discreet slave"
over some new thought expressed in publications? (w62 762,
763) If unable to understand point of doctrine, we do well
to keep in mind that all we have learned has been through God's
organization, which has a humbling effect, guards us against pride
Do not be like Israelites who 'bit hand that fed them' (Isa. 1:
2, 3)
Remember, Jehovah has demonstrated he is a God of progressive
revelation
Acts 1: 6 shows early associates of Christ thought Kingdom to
be earthly
While they had wrong view, God did not throw them off as unfit
to represent him, but he gave them correct understanding in due time
A person might have lived back then and had belief Kingdom would
be heavenly while others thought it earthly.
Would he have acted wisely by arguing over matter, leaving organization
Humenaeus and Philetus forgot that what they learned came from
God's organization, taught own ideas on resurrection,
subverting faith of others (Read 2 Timothy 2 :17,18) (w65145)
So when we cannot grasp some matter or have own idea, wait upon
Jehovah for right viewpoint (w52 79, 80)
If some leave flock, where can they got (w62 763)
If they leave, put themselves in position of those about whom
John wrote (Read 1 John 2 :19)
Those who remain loyal take view of Peter ( Quote John 6: ff8)
When crisis hits us, ask: What has been instrument God has used
up to now to feed just Stick to it
APPRECIATE THAT THE ORGANIZATION IS JEHOVAH'S, DESIGNED TO ACCOMPLISH
HIS WILL (2 min.)
Keep in mind marvelous operation of heavenly organization
Maintain strong appreciation for visible organization, even though
it is made up of imperfect creatures, realizing that Jehovah guides
it by means of his holy spirit
Never lose sight of close ties between heavenly and earthly parts
of Jehovah's organization
Serve with loving desire to have share in doing Jehovah's will
and helping your brothers to do the same
NOTE: You may conduct oral reviews at appropriate intervals, if
you choose, making arrangements beforehand for someone to answer.