But we will give ourselves continually
to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Acts 6:4
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy,
we faint not.
2 Corinthians 4:1
Ministry....what is ministry? Webster
defines it as being the office, duties, or functions of a minister.
It is the period of service or office of a minister or ministry. What
is ministration? Webster states that it is the act or process of ministering.
Knowing this, ministry has many
facets. There are different levels and types of ministry. There is the
pastor, minister, evangelist, deacon, servant, choir singer, usher, member,
and the list goes on and on. We must keep in mind that above all of these
levels and types of ministries, Jesus should be the cornerstone and rock
with which the church ministries function upon. We must remember that
we are all servants of the Most High God and Jesus should be first, foremost
and the center of the church. More importantly, He should be the center
of our heart of life. For we can do nothing without Christ. Anything done
without Christ is nothing but tinkling cymbals and sounding brass.
The apostles laboured with much
diligence, sincerity, and faithfulness. Their sufferings for the gospel
were great, yet with rich supports. Prospects of eternal glory keep believers
from fainting under troubles. Sincerity or uprightness will keep the favourable
opinion of wise and good men. Christ by his gospel makes a glorious discovery
to the minds of men. But the design of the devil is to keep men in ignorance;
and when he cannot keep the light of the gospel of Christ out of the world,
he spares no pains to keep men from the gospel, or to set them against
it. It is pleasant to behold the sun in the firmament; but it is more
pleasant and profitable for the gospel to shine in the heart. As light
was the beginning of the first creation; so, in the new creation, the
light of the Spirit is his first work upon the soul. The treasure of gospel
light and grace is put into earthen vessels. God could have sent angels
to make known the glorious doctrine of the gospel, or could have sent
the most admired sons of men to teach the nations, but he chose humbler,
weaker vessels, that his power might be more glorified in upholding them,
and in the blessed change wrought by their ministry. Let us stand humble,
bold, firm and sincere in the ministry of Christ our Lord.
Let us remember God's Word:
For the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:12 |