Understanding Spiritual Ministry
By David and Warren Wiersbe
1. The Foundation of Ministry is Character
1 Timothy 3:2:
"Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach."
a.Ministry starts with personal integrity and moral character.
2. The Nature of Ministry is Service
Mark 10:45:
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
a.True ministry is about serving others, not being served.
3. The Motive of Ministry is Love
2 Corinthians 5:14:
"For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died."
a.Love for Christ and others should drive our ministry efforts.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8:
"Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."*
a.Ministry is an outpouring of genuine love and care for others.
4. The Measure of Ministry is Sacrifice
Mark 10:45b:
"...to give his life as a ransom for many."
a.The effectiveness of ministry is measured by our willingness to sacrifice.
5. Authority of Ministry is Submission
2 Corinthians 10:5-6:
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete."*
a.True authority in ministry comes from submitting to God's will and His Word.
6. The Purpose of Ministry is the Glory of God
1 Corinthians 10:31:
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
a.Ministry should always aim to honor and glorify God.
7. The Tools of Ministry are the Word of God and Prayer
Acts 6:4:
"But we will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
a.Prayer and scripture are essential tools for effective ministry.
8. The Privilege of Ministry is Growth
Ephesians 4:11-16:
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."*
a.Ministry enables growth, both personal and communal, within the body of Christ.
9. The Power of Ministry is the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
a.The Holy Spirit empowers and guides our ministry efforts.
10. The Model of Ministry is Jesus Christ
Hebrews 12:2:
"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
a.Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of how ministry should be conducted.
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