 the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s
body (the Church).” (Ephesians 4 vs 12, AMP).
◦ John 17 vs 14 – 20
◦ “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the
world.” (John 17 vs 18)
So we are all sent…we are all on a mission](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/essentialsofministry-160207162405/85/Essentials-of-ministry-6-320.jpg)
Essentials of ministry
- 1. Pastor Dexter Tagwireyi Course Director, BME Course
- 2. What is ministry? Is everyone called to ministry? Who are we called to minister to?
- 3. The main objective of this teaching is to give the BME student a biblical understanding of the ministry of a Christian on this earth.
- 4. This lesson shall be in four parts, namely: Section A: Introduction Section B: Ministry to the World Section C: Ministry to the Saints Section D: Ministry to God
- 5. What is Ministry? Ministry comes from DIAKONIA (Gk) meaning: ◦ Service ◦ Waiting upon. E.g., in restaurant Who is called to minister? ◦ “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for edifying the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4 vs 11 – 12)
- 6. Who is called to minister? ◦ “His intention (i.e., Jesus Christ) was the perfecting and full equipping of the saints [His consecrated people](that they should do) the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the Church).” (Ephesians 4 vs 12, AMP). ◦ John 17 vs 14 – 20 ◦ “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” (John 17 vs 18) So we are all sent…we are all on a mission
- 7. Who are we called to minister to?
- 8. “…they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day for good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household” (2 Kings 7 vs 9).
- 9. The world = Ethnos (Gk), i.e., your ‘sphere of influence’ professionally, familially, etc.
- 10. This is perhaps our primary ministry on this earth Jesus died for the whole world, NOT just you and me…and your church members ◦ “He (Jesus) is the one who took God’s wrath against our sins upon Himself, and brought us into fellowship with God; He is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world’s” (1 John 2 vs 2, TLB) Salvation of souls is God’s desire ◦ “…(God) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2 vs 4) ◦ “The Lord is…not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3 vs 9)
- 11. If you desire what God desires, you have it made On this planet we are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5 vs 20), we have work to do: ◦ “…God…has given us the ministry of reconciliation” and “…God…has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5 vs 18- 19) Without us, the world cannot be saved, that’s why Jesus said; ◦ “…go ye therefore into the world…” (Mat. 28 vs 19)
- 12. We need to preach to those around us; ◦ Paul asked, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?” and; ◦ “…how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard?” and; ◦ “…how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10 vs 15) I am that preacher…and so are you!!! So let’s preach the good news If we don’t…no one will – even angels cannot! ◦ With Cornelius God had to send an angel to send him to Peter because angels can’t preach salvation
- 13. We can minister to the world through: ◦ Our lives – we have to be witnesses for Christ ◦ Preaching to them of the goodness of Jesus ◦ Being the light of where ever we work, play, engage, etc. ◦ Doing acts of charity, e.g., World Vision ◦ Other But in all this remember that we want the world to know Jesus Christ…for He and only He is Lord ◦ He is the Way, the Truth and the Life
- 14. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4 vs 10)
- 15. The second group are the saints We all ought to be ministering to saints in one way or another ◦ Peter wrote, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4 vs 10) ◦ Paul said, “For as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function…having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us, let us use them…” (Romans 12 vs 4 – 6)
- 16. It is important to note that we have all received one gift or another ◦ 1 Corinthians 12 vs 7 ◦ Ephesians 4 vs 7 (GNB) Make an effort to find your gifts and use them to minister to the saints ◦ Galatians 6 vs 10 People who are spectators in the church; ◦ Are the biggest and loudest complainers ◦ Oppose progress ◦ Will not grow spiritually
- 17. How can we minister to the saints? ◦ Through music ◦ Poetry ◦ Teaching ◦ Serving ◦ Giving ◦ Ushering ◦ Writing ◦ Hospitality ◦ And the list goes on, and on When you serve the saints earnestly, there is promotion/progress toward your destiny, e.g., Philip ◦ Also Jesus said the greatest should be servant of all
- 18. This is what we were created for…to serve God We can minister to God through; ◦ Prayer and fasting (Acts 13:1) ◦ Praising Him and Worshipping Him ◦ Doing His work ◦ Giving to Him and His work ◦ Other ways
- 19. How can we minister to God? Assignment: Prepare a short presentation on how you can serve God with scriptures to support your answer.
- 20. To minister is to serve We have all been called to serve ◦ God ◦ The Saints ◦ The world Make sure that you are doing something to serve in these spheres