Daily Friendship with God #21 Ministry/Service

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Every follower of Jesus is a minster. The first ministry that every believer has been given to do is that of reconciliation. The primary meaning of the word ministry is service: ministering, especially of those who execute the commands of others. The word reconciliation means the following: of the restoration of the favor of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the sacrificial death of Christ in order to unite them to God. This means that every one that follows Christ are empowered to live as He did and speak words of restoration to those that do not know God in order that they will come to know God. 

It came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age. (Luke 3:21b-23a). 

Those that are in relationship with Jesus follow His example as to how to live their life. In Luke we see that before Jesus started His public ministry He was baptized both in water and in the Holy Spirit (the Holy Spirit… upon Him.) Reconciliation to God comes about as a result of the ministry of the Holy Spirit  as noted in 1 Corinthians 12:3. It is the Holy Spirit working through the life of the followers of Jesus that leads those that do not know Jesus into relationship with God. 

None of these things move me (Paul); nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

Paul was a follower of Jesus who expressed unwavering commitment to the ministry of testifying to the gospel of the grace of  God. Paul also stated: follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). God invites each of His followers into a deeper relationship with Him by joining with Him in the ministry of reconciliation through sharing with others the grace, forgiveness, love and acceptance found in the gospel. 

Then he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry, and when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed (Acts 21:20a)

The fruit of those that ministered in the book of Acts is the testimony of many myriads of people believing in Jesus. The results of the ministry that lead people to believe in Jesus is they glorified the Lord. Jesus said: 

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing… If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples (John 15:5,7-8). 

God desires all His disciples/followers to bear the same kind of fruit as in the book of Acts which is many myriads come to know Jesus and glorify Father God. 

…They have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints (1 Cor 15:16) 

In and as much as each of Jesus followers is first called to the ministry of reconciling those that do not know Christ to Him through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, God has additional ministry available to each believer. In 1 Corinthians 15 we see that there are those that devoted themselves to serving the saints (those that have been set apart from sin and made pure for the work of ministry to God and others when they accepted Jesus in and through His sacrificial death burial and resurrection).There are many forms and expressions of ministry/service to the saints. God has made each of His followers a minister of reconciliation to those who do not know Jesus and in addition with a unique ministry to the saints.  Take some time alone with God and ask Him to show some specific ways to go deep with God in each of these forms of ministry as were just noted. 

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:1) 

God’s mercy is new every morning to empower us to be a minister everywhere we go. Jesus said He is with us to the ends of the age. Just knowing that God is with us, living in our hearts,  gives us the courage and confidence we need to minister everywhere we go.  

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed (2 Corinthians 6:3).

As we minister we are to do so with the understanding that we are representing Jesus. This is a powerful thing to consider in each aspect of ministering. When we minister we are do so in a way that will not lead others into sin but into knowing God in a deep and personal way. 

And He(God) Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians  4:11-12)

The equipping of the saints will be discussed in Daily Friendship with God #23

Please take note what is meant by the word saints: Saints are those that have been set apart from sin and made pure for the work of ministry to God and others. The way to become a saint is by accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and savior based on His sacrificial death burial and resurrection, and entering into a personal relationship with Him. This means according to the bible all those that have a personal relationship with Jesus are saints. 

And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (Colossians  4:17) 

God is telling us hear that we as His followers and ministers are to see with the mind's eye in order that we discern mentally, observe, perceive, discover and understand the ministry He has given us to do.  The results is we will accomplish the things He has given each of us to do in relationship with Him. 

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. (1 Timothy 1:12)

It is a privilege and honor be a minister/servant of Jesus.  Jesus said in Luke 16:10a He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much. As a person is faithful to their relationship with God, He will put them into ministry. Next as they walk by faith God gives them the abilities and enables them to minister with Him on His behalf.  Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 25:31-45 the importance of ministering to those in need.  

For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. (Romans 15:12)

Ministry applies to spiritual things like reconciliation through the sharing of the Gospel. Ministry applies to physical things like giving of time and money. This is noted in many places in the bible. Luke 6:38, 12:33, 1 Corinthians 9, 2 Corinthians 8:12, 11:8, Hebrews 13:16 are some new testament examples of understanding the importance of giving which is a form of ministry. 

God remembers every act of work and labor you do on His behalf in ministry/service 

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister (Hebrews  6:10)

But now He (Jesus) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6)

God Himself displayed the greatest form of ministry and service to all humanity when He established the new covenant  through the gospel. 

“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Mat 26:28)

Jesus ministry in and through the gospel enables all that have relationship with Him and be ministers of reconciliation. Jesus ministry in and through the gospel enables us and empowers us to minister to the saints/follower of Jesus.  When it comes to ministry  the first thing to do is stay in close relationship with God for Jesus said “without Me you can do nothing” but thanks be to God that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Take some time and ask God to show how to be more effective in being a minister of reconciliation and also as to what ministry/service He has for you to the body of Christ His church.