“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3)
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Every believer is not called to be a Pastor, Apostle, Evangelist, Prophet or teacher but every believer is called to the ministry. Everyone in the body of Christ has its placement on the earth and a ministry to fulfill. As believers, we are created, saved, called, gifted, authorized, commanded, anointed and will be rewarded for ministry. Ministry is not limited to pulpit alone and not every ministry should turn to a church. Anywhere the Lord puts us is a ministry.
A. What is Ministry?
It is the pursuit of divine assignment. It does not come by choice or ambition but by calling, vision, dream or burden. Nobody can give ministry to us except God. Whatever we engaged in, on divine assignment is a ministry. It could either be in full time or part time.
i. Ministry is the ability to provide answers, and solutions in all areas.
ii. Ministry is reconnecting the disconnecting generations.
iii. Ministry is a personal affair and not a cooperate venture. Personal ministry is an avenue of extending the impact of your life. Without personal ministry, you cannot fulfill all your dreams and utilize all your gifts. Your personal ministry must be clearly spelt out for everyone to see. It may come inform of publishing, tape, school, bookshop, eateries, outside invitation, etc.
iv. Ministry is a kingdom venture designed to SERVICE the destiny of mankind. Any ministry that will succeed must be service oriented. Let service to the people be at the back of your ministry. Every ministry is important: There is no little or insignificant ministry 1 Cor. 12:18-22. It could be visible or behind the scene ministry.
v, Every ministry is intertwined with all the others, non-is independent Eph. 4:16. No single ministry can do all the church is called to do. We must depend on and cooperate with each other. Every ministry should compliment and not in competition with one another.
vi. Every God-given ministry must edify, bless, help, i8ach out, transform and glorify the Lord.
vii. There is no limit in our ministry as far as God is concerned. God is not setting a limit on ministry neither devil cannot. We are to determine how far and wide our ministry will be in life.
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B. The Ministry Of The Gospel
You must know what you are called and sent to preach in ministry – Isaiah 40:6. If the message is not well defined, you will become a confusionist. A messenger without a message is a total risk. Get the message and keep to it.
God can post anybody anywhere. Strive to know your location. Many are in trouble in ministry today because they are not in the right place. When a man misses his appointed place, he will suffer frustration. Every allocation is: in your location. Matt. 10:5-6. e.g. Jonah Nineveh; Paul Gentiles.
It is important to know how to approach any task God has given to us. No matter how energetic you are, if you are on the wrong course, you will never rise. You can’t abide in result without abiding in the calling. 1 Cor. 7:20,24; Isa. 45:2-3.
Every pregnancy is for an appointed time. God is a God of timing. To miss His timing is to suffer unnecessary frustration. It is necessary to know the importance of divine timing. God’s time is always the safest time. Habb. 2:3; Eccl. 3:11. Understanding of appointed time ends all struggles and makes peace in our ministry.
Top 10 Ministry Killers
- Tradition
- Complacency
- Fear of starting
- Adverse to change
- Impatience
- Relatives
- Ignorance
- Grasshopper mentality
- Indiscipline
- Out of touch with God