UNDERSTANDING MINISTRY

Understanding Ministry Definition - Ministry in a general term means service but in a very specific term as it relates to the New Testament, it means affecting lives with the eternal life. Jn 6:28 - Jn 6:29 (KJV) Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Jn 9:4 - Jn 9:5 (KJV) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Ministry must be differentiated from Just working in the assembly. The latter is a responsibility for proper organisation while the former is our real call. Acts 6:3 - Acts 6:4 (KJV) Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Ministry in the OT is different from in the NT. The OT advertises the coming of Christ, while the NT ministry is to dispense the life that Christ has brought. So getting people saved and maturing them into perfection is the real purpose of the NT ministry. Jn 5:25 - Jn 5:26 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; Mt 11:27 (KJV) All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Jn 14:12 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 2Co 5:18 (KJV) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation Ministry is a call and as Christians, we have all received this call into ministry. The five fold gift of Christ to the church is to equip us for that ministry. Heb 5:4 (KJV) And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. Acts 1:17 (KJV) For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry 1Pet 2:9 (KJV) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Ministry is the believers purpose and is one of the reasons why we live. The first reason is our perfection. Acts 20:24 (KJV) But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Eph 2:10 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 2Ti 4:7 (KJV) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: As a divine purpose for our lives, it must be pursued according to the will of the one who called us into it. This is the main reason for failures in ministry. Jn 4:34 (KJV) Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Eph 5:15 - Eph 5:17 (KJV) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Most people want fulfilment in life, fulfilment in life only comes from fulfilling our purpose or ministry. Acts 20:24 (KJV) But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 12:25 (KJV) And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark Col 4:17 (KJV) And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 2Ti 4:5 (KJV) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry Faithfulness at a level of ministry calls for more and greater assignment because faithfulness in little means faithfulness in much. However,there is nothing like graduation in calls. Acts 12:25 - Acts 13:2 (KJV) And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. Acts 13 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Acts 11:29 - Acts 11:30 (KJV) Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by Something to note is that God does not change his purpose, but he can change the vessel. Acts 1:25 (KJV) That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. We are all called but in diversity .We must all learn to stay in our call and be original. Rom 12:6 - Rom 12:7 (KJV) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching Eph 3:10 (KJV) To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, God expect ministry to be done from a state of heart. This includes 1. Courage 2. Honesty 3. Sincerity 4. In Truth (word) 2Co 4:1 - 2Co 4:2 (KJV) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. The minister's credential is not the certificate he holds, nor the training he has received, neither is it the eloquence he possesses. His credential is in his ability to suffer for the truth and life he impacts. 2CO 6:3 - 2Co 6:10 (KJV) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things The goal for which God called us into ministry is to impact lives and to help produce perfection. Any ministry that does not achieve this in a progressive order in people's life is wasting time and divine resources. Eph 4:11 - Eph 4:15 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: