The Message of Ministry
James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
The Make-Up of Ministry
- ANANIAS (Baptized Saul)
- JUDAS (opened his home.)
- BARNABAS (encourages and receives.)
- The DISCIPLES (Helped Paul, kept him safe)
- SAUL/PAUL (Preached)
- PETER (Preaches and over-sees, heals)
- SIMON THE TANNER (Shelter for Peter)
SIMON THE TANNER (provides shelter for Peter)
The Method for Ministry
Peter’s Special Ability.
1 Peter 4:11
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:
that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Acts 9:33-34
33There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years.
34“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up.
Acts 9:36-37
36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor.
37About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.
Acts 9:38
38Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
Acts 9:42
This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
Romans 12:3
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Romans 12:4-7
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 OR MINISTRY, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ephesians 4:11-12
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ephesians 4:16
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Especially when you minister according to the ability that God gives you!
1 Peter 4:11b
…if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:
1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. THEN everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
The Motivation for Ministry
Genuine Concern
2 Peter 1:12
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
Ticking Clock
2 Peter 2:14
14 knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Personal Knowledge
2 Peter 2:15
Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
2 Peter 1:19-21
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Personal Experience
2 Peter 1:16-18
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.