Post by pitbull on Mar 30, 2009 4:59:08 GMT -5
HOW IS YOUR MINISTRY?
Here in April, many are looking forward to Easter. It is the holiest and most important holiday in the year for Christians. I have noticed that in my unit, I hear some soldiers ask me if my ministry is getting busier as it approaches. I have heard this in the past in the civilian side. This is a question that is very similar to the one, “So you are a minister?”
I have to smile when I hear this. If I know the person asking this question is a believer, I will respond usually something like, “Yes, and how is your ministry doing?” or “Yes, I am a minister just like you are.” The puzzled look usually gives away that they have no idea what a minister is. They have never read and studied Matthew 20:26-28, Mark 10:43-45, or 1 Peter 4:10. Maybe their pastor has never preached on or explained to them that every Christian [man, woman, or child] is a minister and that each has a God-given ministry.
What is a minister? “Someone to attend and serve.” That is what one is. It is not a religious term. It is not synonymous with the pastorate, like the terms bishop and elder are in the Bible. Too often we forget in other nations, they still use the term minister [such as Minster of Education or Prime Minister] as we do secretary for people who serve in the national government. This was supposed to be a position of public service, meeting that specific need of the people of the nation.
Who does the Bible address as ministers? Consider the following passages:
• Colossians 1:7 - As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
• Colossians 1:23 - If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
• Colossians 4:7 - All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
• 1 Thessalonians 3:2 - And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
Only two mentioned here are preachers – Paul and Timothy. Yet, all are ministers because they were meeting the needs of other Christians and believers. Every one of us has a different ministry, as God has equipped us, whether it is as a preacher, a house wife, a firefighter, a soldier, a teacher, or whatever it may be.
If you are not sure you are a minister, first make sure that you are saved. How do you get salvation? Salvation is by grace alone and is receive by faith alone in the completed work of Christ. How do you receive this gift? You must repent of your sin, believe the Gospel, and trust Jesus as your Savior. [Mark 1:15; John 6:28-29; Acts 16:30-31; 17:30; Romans 10:9-13] Then seek God’s plan for your life on how you are to be a minister and what ministry God has in store for you.
Here in April, many are looking forward to Easter. It is the holiest and most important holiday in the year for Christians. I have noticed that in my unit, I hear some soldiers ask me if my ministry is getting busier as it approaches. I have heard this in the past in the civilian side. This is a question that is very similar to the one, “So you are a minister?”
I have to smile when I hear this. If I know the person asking this question is a believer, I will respond usually something like, “Yes, and how is your ministry doing?” or “Yes, I am a minister just like you are.” The puzzled look usually gives away that they have no idea what a minister is. They have never read and studied Matthew 20:26-28, Mark 10:43-45, or 1 Peter 4:10. Maybe their pastor has never preached on or explained to them that every Christian [man, woman, or child] is a minister and that each has a God-given ministry.
What is a minister? “Someone to attend and serve.” That is what one is. It is not a religious term. It is not synonymous with the pastorate, like the terms bishop and elder are in the Bible. Too often we forget in other nations, they still use the term minister [such as Minster of Education or Prime Minister] as we do secretary for people who serve in the national government. This was supposed to be a position of public service, meeting that specific need of the people of the nation.
Who does the Bible address as ministers? Consider the following passages:
• Colossians 1:7 - As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
• Colossians 1:23 - If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
• Colossians 4:7 - All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
• 1 Thessalonians 3:2 - And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
Only two mentioned here are preachers – Paul and Timothy. Yet, all are ministers because they were meeting the needs of other Christians and believers. Every one of us has a different ministry, as God has equipped us, whether it is as a preacher, a house wife, a firefighter, a soldier, a teacher, or whatever it may be.
If you are not sure you are a minister, first make sure that you are saved. How do you get salvation? Salvation is by grace alone and is receive by faith alone in the completed work of Christ. How do you receive this gift? You must repent of your sin, believe the Gospel, and trust Jesus as your Savior. [Mark 1:15; John 6:28-29; Acts 16:30-31; 17:30; Romans 10:9-13] Then seek God’s plan for your life on how you are to be a minister and what ministry God has in store for you.