Ministry/Service
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 – Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
As the Lord calls us unto Himself, we are given specific gifts of the Spirit of His choosing. We often have no say in the gift we receive, nor any indication on when it will be given unto us (1 Corinthians 12:11, 18). As we receive the gift(s) of the Spirit, there are several things we should understand:
Luke 10:38-42 – Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
When Jesus came to Martha’s house, she was cumbered (driven mentally, over occupied, distracted)6 about serving. Her sister Mary was also at her house and helped her serve for a time, but left to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His word. Martha later came to Jesus and desired Him to say something for Mary to help her again. Jesus told Martha that she was careful and troubled over many things, but Mary had chosen that good part and it would not be taken from her.
Jesus described Mary choosing that good part. Martha’s part may not have been bad (as something sinful), but when compared to Mary’s choice, it was not better. In our view of the their lives, we can learn four things:
Genesis 2:24 – Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Two become one flesh…
This is what the Lord explained to Adam after the woman God made from his rib was brought to him. Adam said, And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man (Genesis 2:23). Though we are two people, in the eyes of God we are one flesh.
Very often today, many people in ministry are giving themselves over to lustful desires. Where much of this is based upon the lack of self-control and obedience to the Lord (James 1:13-15), there are also means from which those in ministry can and should protect themselves. Therefore, foundational principles should be established for those that are married (in ministry).
In the world of business, we are taught that the higher one attains in position, the least ‘hands-on’ or menial work they are to do. The manager no longer runs errands or buys the office lunch. They tell someone else to do it. They no longer have to drive around the parking lot, they have a designated spot of their own. They set deadlines, make decisions that affect policy and personnel, write checks, rate work performance, and gain greater respect among their peers.
However, in the midst of the ‘business’ of life, there are some lessons a disciple of Jesus can never forget:
John 13:1-16 – Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
1 Corinthians 3:9-11 – For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
When speaking to the Corinthians about their divisions (of following specific people), Paul wanted them to understand that they (the leaders) were all laborers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:3-8). He was given the grace of God to be a wise masterbuilder and have laid a foundation of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 9:35-38 – And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
As Jesus went through the cities and villages teaching, preaching, and healing, he saw the multitudes. He was moved with compassion for the multitudes of people had fainted and were scattered. He noted to His disciples that the harvest is plenteous, but there are few laborers to work the harvest. Jesus told them to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest.
Many times we see the multitudes of people in need. We see them in our churches, schools, communities, and abroad. We see the people with so many needs and so few resources. They are without Jesus and the help and support to sustain themselves from day to day. We see a bountiful harvest of souls.
Proverbs 18:16 – A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
As Solomon describes in Proverbs, it is the gift that makes room for a man, not the other way around. We are to bring glory to the Lord through our good works (Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12) – the gifts are HIS, used for HIS purpose, and bring HIM glory upon the earth.
1. Be available. Windows of opportunity come unexpectedly.
2. If the opportunity to counsel came upon you suddenly, say a short prayer. Your prayer should focus on the Lord assisting the person; receiving an answer from the Lord; and the root issue is revealed.
3. They should speak more than you. Keep your comments short, simple, and to the point.
4. Allow the other person to tell their story – to share their heart.
After a season of ministry, there can be times of silence in your transition. You may be doing things for God, but it still seems like you’re neither here or there. You feel settled, but not settled…almost…lost. You miss the previous season of ministry, but you know you can’t go back – only forward. Even if you tried, it wouldn’t be the same.
But where do I begin? I don’t have the same ‘title’ or position I once had and nobody knows who I am.
Many churches around the world receive new visitors. It is important that we emphasize, support, and acknowledge visitors on each visit. We should go out of our way to allow them to feel comfortable, loved, and prepared to worship the Lord. Sadly however, many churches (and members) give very little attention to visitors or seek to use them as commodities. Most visitors on their first (or second) visit experience the following:
- Offers to work immediately in a ministry.
- Compelled to give (financially) beyond what is in their heart.
- Largely ignored by over half the congregation.
- Criticized for their dress, status, or behavior (or their children’s behavior).
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