Ministering (The Foundation for the Ministry)

We are all called into the ministry of taking the gospel of the coming kingdom of our heavenly Father to the ends of this earth: “Go therefore and make disciples …” (Matthew 28:19-20). Psalm 139:23-24 must be a prayer of anyone who wants to serve God. Here are ten important steps to help us to be good ministers of the gospel of God:

• Character is formed when we undergo various trials. It is not something that someone can say ‘I am through with it’ since it is a continuing process. God does not build on a weak character. So character is necessary for effective ministry (Romans 5:3-4).

• Service ~ Anyone called to the ministry must be ready to serve, that is to be a servant of God and people. “Even the son of God did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). And remember: Christ is our model.

• The motive must be to serve God out of love, not for money. God first loved us and He gave His only begotten son (John 3:16). God demonstrated to us His great love towards us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). “Love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy … of these three, faith, love and hope, love is the greatest” (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) thus love is essential for ministry.

• Sacrifice ~ Christ sacrificed by serving and compassion (Matthew 9:36; Mark 10:45). Sacrifice demands discipline.

• Submission ~Christ our model submitted to God the Father (Philippians 2:5-9). We must submit to God (James 4:7-8)

• Glorifying God ~ We must declare His glory among all the nations (1 Chronicles 16:24).

• Prayers and the Word are the tools for the ministry. “Give yourself continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:3-4).

• Growth is the result of the ministry “And the Lord added to the church (ecclesia) daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47, and see 2:41).

• The Holy Spirit Word is the power ~ The power of God in our ministry is the spirit word of the living God (Zechariah 4:6).

• Jesus Christ is our model ~ We must always imitate the Lord Jesus Christ who is our model in every ministry (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Bro Kenny Simbao is pictured centre front

Bro Kenny Simbao (Kitwe, Zambia)