Posts
by Samuel E. Ward
July 24, 31, 2011
Introduction
There are four pillars of truth which stand upon the Word of God providing the support needed to have effective ministry taking place in the church. We will examine these four pillars of truth today
Pillar #1: Every Believer Is a Minister.
A. Every believer is created for ministry, Eph 2:10.
(Eph 2:10 NIV) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
B. Every believer is saved for ministry, 2 Tim 1:9.
(2 Tim 1:9 NIV) who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
C. Every believer is called into ministry, 1 Pet 2:9-10.
(1 Pet 2:9-10 NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. {10} Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
D. Every believer is gifted for ministry, 1 Pet 4:10.
(1 Pet 4:10 NIV) Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
E. Every believer is authorized for ministry, Mat 28:18-20.
(Mat 28:18-19 NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
F. Every believer is commanded to minister, Mat 20:26-28.
(Mat 20:26-28 NIV) Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, {27} and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- {28} just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
G. Every believer is to be prepared for ministry, Eph 4:11-12.
(Eph 4:11-12 NIV) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, {12} to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
H. Every believer is needed for ministry, 1 Cor 12:27.
(1 Cor 12:27 NIV) Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
I. Every believer is accountable for ministry and will be rewarded accordingly, Col.3:23-24.
(Col 3:23-24 NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, {24} since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Pillar #2: Every Ministry is Important, 1 Cor 12:18-22.
(1 Cor 12:18-22 NIV) But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. {19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? {20} As it is, there are many parts, but one body. {21} The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" {22} On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.
Pillar #3: We Are Dependent Upon One Another, 1 Cor. 12:18-22.
(1 Cor 12:18-22 NIV) But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. {19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? {20} As it is, there are many parts, but one body. {21} The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" {22} On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.
Pillar #4: Ministry is the Expression of My SHAPE.
(Psa 139:13-16 NIV) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. {14} I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. {15} My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, {16} your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Spiritual gifts,
Heart,
Abilities,
Personality, and
Experiences)
Spiritual gifts: See 1 Cor 12; Rom 12; Eph 4.
(1 Cor 12:4-7, 11 NIV) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. {6} There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. {7} Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. . . {11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
How do you discover your spiritual gifts? Start experimenting with different ministries, then you'll discover your spiritual gifts.
Heart: Mat.12:3; Ps.37:4; Prov.4:23
Your heart represents the center of your motivation, desires, and inclinations. Also, . . .
a. Your heart determines why you say the things you do, Mat.12:34
(Mat 12:34 NIV) You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
b. Your heart determines why you feel the way you do, Ps.37:4
(Psa 37:4 NIV) Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of
c. Your heart determines why you act the way you do, Prov.4:23
(Prov 4:23 NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
God has given each of us an emotional "heartbeat" that races when we encounter activities, subjects, or circumstances that interests us.
Abilities: 1 Cor.12:5
(1 Cor 12:5 NIV) There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
Many national studies have proven the average person possesses from five hundred to seven hundred skills. There are people in our church who have all kinds of abilities that are not being put to use: recruiting, repairing, drawing, cooking, planning, decorating, entertaining, promoting, landscaping, writing, researching, interviewing, etc. Just like Bezalel in Ex.31:2-5, God has filled us with the Spirit of God and with skills, abilities, and knowledge to serve Him.
Personality:
God loves variety. He made introverts and extroverts. He made people who love routine and those who love variety. He made some people "thinkers" and others "feelers". He made people who work best when given an individual assignment, and some who work better with a team. Proof that God uses all types of personalities are plentiful in the Bible. Consider Peter who had a sanguine (upbeat) personality and Jeremiah whose personality was definitely melancholy.
Experiences: Rom.8:28
1. Educational experiences (favorite subjects in school)
2. Vocational experiences (jobs we have had, enjoyed, and achieved results)
3. Spiritual experiences (The meaningful and decisive times with God as certain points in our lives)
4. Ministry experiences (How we have served God in the past)
5. Painful experiences (What are the problems, hurts, and trials that you've learned from?).
Because your shape was sovereignly determined by God for His purpose, you shouldn't resent it or reject it.
(Rom 9:20-21 NIV) But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" {21} Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? You should do something with what God has given you—like SERVE Him with all your heart, mind and soul.
