Ministering To Others
In "ministering" to others, whose needs are being met? Theirs? Or yours?
How much of our efforts in "ministry" are veiled, or even subconscious attempts to meet our needs to be stroked or recognized? Could it be that often our primary concern with those under our charge is that they show up, conform, perform, and… well… basically make us look and feel good?
In the business world, "glitz," bigness, "movement," image, and pandering to people's whimsical needs is standard operating procedure.
Is it possible that in our push to "succeed" in our ministries, we have often transferred carnal and pride-driven methods and values from the "world" into the church? If that is the case:
You will not find Jesus degrading His ministry to this level. Nor should we.
It is obvious that whenever a person is maturing toward full-stature in Christ (Ephesians 4:13), there is a decrease to self in his or her life. Notice the cost to Jesus on our behalf:
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Or Paul's sacrifice:
"I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you… I die daily… and die to self… I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen… " (Galatians 4:19; 1 Corinthians 15:31b 2 Timothy 2:10a)
So here is the question you and I must ask ourselves: "What is our motivation with the sheep entrusted to our care: Their maturity, or the meeting of our needs?"
The degree of sacrifice which you and I are willing to expend on their behalf to bring them to spiritual maturity makes the answer to the question self-evident.
Few people will take notice of our sacrifice in ministering to others. But what difference should that make? Are we not committed first and foremost to His glory over ours?
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)
Minister Calvin Wyatt /email:cixmo@aol.com /calvincosmo30@gmail.com /calvincosmo@facebook.com.
In "ministering" to others, whose needs are being met? Theirs? Or yours?
How much of our efforts in "ministry" are veiled, or even subconscious attempts to meet our needs to be stroked or recognized? Could it be that often our primary concern with those under our charge is that they show up, conform, perform, and… well… basically make us look and feel good?
In the business world, "glitz," bigness, "movement," image, and pandering to people's whimsical needs is standard operating procedure.
Is it possible that in our push to "succeed" in our ministries, we have often transferred carnal and pride-driven methods and values from the "world" into the church? If that is the case:
- Our ministry has, sadly, become "market-driven."
- "Feeling better has become more important to us than finding God."
You will not find Jesus degrading His ministry to this level. Nor should we.
It is obvious that whenever a person is maturing toward full-stature in Christ (Ephesians 4:13), there is a decrease to self in his or her life. Notice the cost to Jesus on our behalf:
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Or Paul's sacrifice:
"I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you… I die daily… and die to self… I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen… " (Galatians 4:19; 1 Corinthians 15:31b 2 Timothy 2:10a)
So here is the question you and I must ask ourselves: "What is our motivation with the sheep entrusted to our care: Their maturity, or the meeting of our needs?"
The degree of sacrifice which you and I are willing to expend on their behalf to bring them to spiritual maturity makes the answer to the question self-evident.
Few people will take notice of our sacrifice in ministering to others. But what difference should that make? Are we not committed first and foremost to His glory over ours?
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)
Minister Calvin Wyatt /email:cixmo@aol.com /calvincosmo30@gmail.com /calvincosmo@facebook.com.
Empowerment:
10 Resolves For Those Operating In The Marketplace
10 Resolves For Those Operating In The Marketplace
- To try to learn to be thoroughly poor in spirit, meek, and to be ready to be silent when others speak.
- (Matthew 5:3, 5; James 1:19)
- To learn from everyone.
- (Job 8:8; Proverbs 24:32)
- To try to despise the prevailing principle of "blowing your own horn"; and to feel it a degradation to speak of my own doings, as a poor braggart.
- (Proverbs 27:2; 1 Corinthians 4:7)
- To speak less of self.
- (Proverbs 20:6)
- To try to overcome the mentality of building one's own "kingdom".
- (Jeremiah 45:5; Romans 12:16)
- To preserve as sacrosanct all secrets committed to me, especially any confidential communication of spiritual complexities.
- (Proverbs 11:3)
- To take a deep interest in the difficulties of others.
- (Philippians 2:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 10:24)
- To perform vigorously the examination of conscience.
- (Acts 24:16; Galatians 6:4)
- To contend one-by-one against evil thoughts of the mind.
- (2 Corinthians 7:1; 10:5)
- To watch over a tendency toward the uncharitable judgment of others.
- (Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1)
A Clarion Call:
If you have not yet received the Lord Jesus into your life, or you once received Him but backslid, make yourself available of this opportunity and pray this prayer: There is no degree of sin the Lord cannot blot out. Do not postpone, for tomorrow may be too late.
Father I come before you as a sinner (Romans 3:23)
I sincerely repent of my sins (Acts 3:19)
I believe that Jesus died and was resurrected to grant me salvation
(John 3:16)
Today, as I receive Him into my heart by faith, grant me grace,
not to go back to my old sinful ways (Proverbs 28:13)
Thank you Lord for saving me.
