"(God) has given... pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry,
So the body of Christ may be built up." Ephesians 4: 11-12
Ministry is in three directions: -
1. To the LORD (Acts 13:3)
2. To other BELIEVERS (Heb. 6:10)
3. To UNBELIEVERS (Matt. 5:13)
Church structure: -
The Elders, Deacons (church leaders) are the administers
The People are the ministers
Ministry is in three areas;
1. To peoples PHYSICAL needs
"(God says) I was hungry and you fed me, … thirsty and you gave me a drink… needed clothes and you clothed me… sick and you cared for me… in prison and you visited me… Whenever you have done this to the least person, you did it to me."
Matthew 25:35-36, 40
"If, as my representative, you give even a cup of cold water to a little child, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42
2. To people's EMOTIONAL needs
"… Warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with all.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14
3. To people's SPIRITUAL needs
"God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
2 Corinthians 5:18
"We proclaim Christ, counselling and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:28, 29
THE PURPOSE OF MINISTRY
There are different kinds of service to God, but it is the same Lord we are serving. The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church. All of you together are the one Body of Christ and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
THE PRIORITY OF MINISTRY (Why should I be interested?)
1. I HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR MINISTRY!
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
2. I HAVE BEEN SAVED FOR MINISTRY!
"It is He who saved us and chose us for his holy work, not because we deserved it but because that was his plan long before the world began…” 2 Timothy 1:9
"We are saved to serve!"
3. I HAVE BEEN CALLED INTO MINISTRY!
"God, in his grace, chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him." Galatians 1:15
"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Ephesians 4:1
"… You have been chosen by God himself – you are priests of the King… you are God's very own – all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of darkness into his wonderful light! Once you were less than nothing, now you are God's own!" 1 Peter 2:9-10
"… You will serve as holy priests…” 1 Peter 2:5
I am not who I think I am
I am not who you think I am
However, I really am who God says I am!
A LIFE CHANGING TRUTH IS MY PRIMARY IDENTITY
I AM A MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST!
4. I HAVE BEEN GIFTED FOR MINISTRY!
"God has given each of you some social abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessing." 1 Peter 4:10
5. I HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED FOR MINISTRY!
"(Jesus said) All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples…” Matthew 28:18-19
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors…” 2 Corinthians 5:20
6. I AM COMMANDED TO MINISTRY!
"(Jesus) your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve…” Matthew 20:28 "(To Archippus) take heed to the ministry you've received from the Lord and fulfil it."
Colossians 4:17
7. I AM TO BE PREPAIRED FOR MINISTRY!
"God gave pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry so that the body of Christ may be built up…" Ephesians 4:11-1
8. THE BODY OF CHRIST NEEDS MY MINISTRY!
"All of you together are the one body of Christ and each of you is a separate and necessary part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27
Ministry always functions in the context of the CHURCH FAMILY
"When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said, `The harvest is great but the workers are few. Ask the Lord to send our workers into his harvest field.'“ Matthew 9:36-37
9. I AM ACCOUNTABLE FOR MY MINISTRY!
"So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:12
The Parable of the Talents: Matthew 25:14-30
10. I WILL BE REWARDED FOR MY MINISTRY!
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”
Colossians 3:23, 24
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!” Matthew 25:23
