three

MINISTRY & EVANGELISM

Christian life is an expression of Zoe (Life of God). It overflows and it’s con-tagious. A person who is stagnant and just occupies a seat in the church pew has never experienced the kingdom life.

God called individuals and special-ly the nation of Israel to serve Him or represent Him. In the New Tes-tament, as the Lord Jesus minis-tered to people, He selected twelve disciples to be with Him. He imparted gifts to them and they ministered to the people by the authority of Christ.

A child of God should be committed to ministry. He has to seek opportuni-ties by the guidance of the leadership to be fruitful in the calling of God.

In a local church the opportunities to serve is big and a child of God should make proper use of all these avenues.

Spiritual growth and maturity comes through the ministry avenues

Our attitude in ministry should be of much humility and should be ready to be mentored by elders and leaders. A person doing ministry should be a lifelong student of God’s word.

It’s very easy at times to sidetrack from the agenda God has for us and to concentrate on building our own kingdom and agenda. Mentorship and stewardship will help us eliminate these. Ultimately the disciples of the Lord should follow the Lord Jesus.

He came to serve and not to be served

As we reflect the life and love of the Lord Jesus we would multiply in our influ-ence and God will use us for His glory. In the context of ministry, we should also not fall into the deception of position and possessions. We serve the Lord and one another because of the grace given to us by the Lord which is in pro-portion to our faith.

Scripture References:

“so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encourage-ment; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it dili-gently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:5-8)

 

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become ma-ture, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

 

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

 

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (John 12:26)

 

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another hum-bly in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

 

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”” (Matthew 10:42)

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Fellowship

God didn’t intend man to live alone. He designed creation to live in a community. The Church is His body. Once a person makes a serious choice to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, he needs the family of God to support him and encourage him. He is baptized into Jesus Christ and he becomes a part of his body. He becomes a part of the church – the House of God.

The apostles and prophets are the foundations of this spiritual house with the Lord Jesus as the chief cornerstone. The evangelists declare the gospel with pastors feeding the flock. Teachers take time and effort to teach the word of God to the believers. This continues till all come to the maturity of the stature of Christ. Hence fellowship in the church is very important.

Each member of a local church should commit themselves to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. If there is no growth it negatively affects the health of the church. Commitment to the local church leadership and vision, participa-tion in fellowship meetings, faithfulness in applying the word of God ,praying and encouraging one another for good works propels a person into the destiny God has for him.

A fellowship in the church gives you a strong inter-cession network. There is nothing so powerful as the prayers of the church. You also get a group to be ac-countable and transparent to. Without accountability we lose our track. Wor-shipping God together in a fellowship releases corporate blessings and you function together to take the nations and cities for the Lord Jesus.

Scripture References:

“”So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evange-lists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of ser-vice, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach uni-ty 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.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

 

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fel-low citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Je-sus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:19-20)

 

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

 

“not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,” (Hebrews 10:25-26)

 

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in uni-ty!” (Psalm 133:1)

 

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will be-lieve in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Fa-ther, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)

nine

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

God provides for His people. We all need means of sustenance and income to live a life that honors His name. God gives the power or strength to make wealth. Through the scriptures we see the Lord closely involved with the affairs of His people. He sustained them in tough situations. He provided Manna and split the rock to quench their thirst. He provided for the patriarchs. He made Joseph the Prime Minister of Egypt so that His people would be sustained. Eli-jah was sustained by God miraculously when there was a great famine.

God is the source of all our bless-ings and it’s rightful on our part to responsibly steward the re-sources He has given us. In the Old Testament times, people gave generously for the work of the tabernacle and the construc-tion of the temple. The Festivals and Sabbath were kept judicious-ly and it was an important part of their community.

In the New Testament times, we see the Wise men from the east coming with gold, frankincense and myrrh as an offering to the new born King. Our Lord spoke much about stewardship in the parables He taught. He saw the offerings being offered in the temple and commended the widow who gave her all to the temple treas-ury. In the First century church, people sold what they owned and laid it at the feet of the apostles. This was a sign of com-mitment to the teaching of the apostles and the people served God not for wealth but they considered the Lord Jesus as their greatest wealth.

A fellowship in the church gives you a strong inter-cession network. There is nothing so powerful as the prayers of the church. You also get a group to be ac-countable and transparent to. Without accountability we lose our track. Wor-shipping God together in a fellowship releases corporate blessings and you function together to take the nations and cities for the Lord Jesus.

God opens doors for us to sustain us and also to make us a channel of His blessings where He has placed us. Tithing was an im-portant principle taught in the law where people set apart a tenth of their produce or income for the work of the Lord. The priests, le-vites, widows and strangers were provided for by this principle.

Malachi speaks about the importance of giving the best for the Lord in the last book of the Old Testament. When we give to the Lord, He opens the flood-gates of heavens and pours out blessings that run over every area of our life.

It should also be noted here that it was Abraham who introduced tithing as he gave the tenth of his spoils to Melchizedek, an image of Christ in the Old Testa-ment. Jacob later vowed to the Lord his commitment to give a tenth if the Lord provided for him in Bethel. Tithing thus was a principle to honour God and His work initiated by the patriarchs.

In the New Testament times, the principle of tithing was vouched by the Lord Jesus and it’s apt for a New covenant believer to have financial stewardship in his life. A believer ought to participate actively in the running of the church administration by means of his generous contribution. He shows his diligence and support for the work of God through this act and become a channel of God’s blessings to many. When the work of God is given the highest priority God is faithful to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Whether to tithe or not is not a right question to be asked. God loves a cheer-ful giver and He who is not a debtor to anyone will bless you to be a blessing.

Scripture References:

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”” (Acts 20:35)

 

”Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will pre-vent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delight-ful land,” says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi 3:10-12)

 

““Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without ne-glecting the former.” (Matthew 23:23)

 

“Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your ac-quaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts;

 

what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have re-ceived full payment and have more than enough. I am amply sup-plied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:15-19)

 

“Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:6-9)

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”” (Luke 6:38)