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Volume. XXIV, No. 28 A Christian MinistryIn Jesus’ very last words to His disciples, He gave what is called “The Great Commission” or the objective of Christian ministry. Often in a person’s departing words, they sum up the essence of their message. Jesus proclaimed the most important message not just to His disciples but to all of us. It is found in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world. Amen.”
Christian ministers and ministries have four major objectives:
· Share the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The gospel of Mark 16:15 says, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”.
· Shepherd the people. John 21:16 says, “He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
Acts 20:28 says, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
· Be a spiritual watchman. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
· Teach the Word of God. Acts 5:20 says, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
The epistle to the Ephesians in 4:11 says, “And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers”.
1 Corinthians 12: 28-30 reads, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”
For everyone who calls himself a Christian, the objective of ministry is the same. The objective is to save as many as possible for the kingdom of God before the day of the Lord. The objective of Christian ministry is: God is not willing that any should be condemned to eternal damnation in hell, but that all should be saved and have eternal life in heaven.
Some of you might ask what does this Christian ministry have to do with me? I am not a member of the Session. I do not belong to any ministry at church. Neither do I play any musical instruments. Added to all these shortcomings, I am not theologically trained. There is no way I can be part of the church’s ministry. If those are the arguments you come up with, it is time for you to seriously look at yourself and re-evaluate your commitment to your local church.
If you call yourself a Christian, this is what God has to say about you.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works (please refer to the four objectives above) and being one of the members of Christ we have a part to play in achieving those objectives.
Many of us have the wrong perception that Christian ministry is standing behind the pulpit on the Lord’s Day bringing the gospel message to the congregation sitting on the pews. Added to this is the notion that one must be apt to teach God’s word as well as leading Bible studies and writing articles for the church’s bulletin. Might I suggest that Christian ministry encompasses more than that mentioned above.
I am inclined to believe that a Christian ministry is any service (besides the four main objectives mentioned in the third paragraph of the first page) that is provided in the Name of the Lord with love. Hence, Christian ministry covers a broader spectrum.
God has blessed us with talents. Everyone has spiritual gifts and we can use these gifts to serve God in many ways. Why are some reluctant to come forward to be a part of God’s ministry - the Christian ministry? One can come up with many answers to this question. It is important when considering spiritual gifts to recognise that God calls us into things, not out of them. Some people may try to use the lack of a particular gift as an excuse to avoid Christian ministry. Are you one of them?
We must also remember that God doesn’t always call those who are equipped to do His work. Many whom He called, He equipped with abilities unbeknown to themselves. Many have been called by Him to serve in areas beyond their abilities. Many are surprised at what they can do for God. In many instances, He calls those who He knows are willing to serve Him.
God has equipped all of us with talents to serve Him in a church. Providing a glass of cold water to someone in the Name and love of Jesus Christ is Christian service. Many are waiting for the right time to serve God but have not taken the first step and are still waiting. There can never be the right time. The right time is now.
All of us can serve in one way or another. There is always an area of service for everyone in a church setting. Hope Church has many ministries that are always looking for more to come forward to serve. Your service can make a difference.
The Christian ministry is not the responsibility of ministers and some members only, as many would like to think. All Christians are called to serve. Let us all serve together to bring more souls to our Lord and to further His kingdom here on earth. Let us be committed and serve. Let us be fruitful till He comes.
God needs you and me to bring the lost to Christ. Let us all be a part of this very important Christian ministry. Let us be fruitful till He comes.
2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
We have a service to perform. Christian service is for all Christians.
In His Service,
Dn Tony Law
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