Ministry/Service
Many people today are judged by their status through social media. Likes, shares, and views provide a sense of approval, appreciation, and acceptance. Some spend their days and nights watching their smartphones and computers, waiting for positive affirmation. But as we’re surrounded by a society which desires such attention, we cannot forget the only ‘like’ that matters.
In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus shares a parable about a man traveling into a far country. He provided different talents to his servants. One servant received five talents. Another receive two. Then another one. Each servant received enough talents according to his ability.
After the man had departed, the servants with five and two talents traded and doubled what they received. However, the servant who received one talent placed his talent in the earth.
Woe to all pastors and ministers of the Gospel.
We NOW live in a time when many people IN our churches want to hear messages that make them feel good but not compel them to live right.
They don’t want to hear about their need to repent or turn from their unrepentant and sinful conduct. They want to hear how God will bless them, give them financial increase, and bring them into their season. They want to have church rather than BE the church for Jesus.
Genesis 4:3-8 – And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Though Cain’s offering had nothing to do with his brother’s, he became angry. God provided Cain with an opportunity to provide a respectful offering, he only needed to do well. However, instead of desiring to do well to change how God viewed his next offering, he sought to kill his brother out of his anger.
John 2:13-17 – And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Jesus drove out the money-changers and those in the temple selling oxen, sheep, and doves. Even though much of their merchandise for the purchase of providing offerings for the temple unto God, it dishonored the purchase the temple was meant to accomplish as a house of prayer.
Many churches today have coffee shops, book stores, and other stores within their building. Though there may be good intentions for providing convenience services, ministry products to the congregation, or establishing other revenue streams, these intentions cannot be placed above our Father’s honor and glory.
Numbers 20:7-13 – And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.
As the children of Israel entered into the desert of Zin, the people chode against Moses and Aaron for the lack of water.1 The Lord told Moses and Aaron to gather the people and speak to the rock, that it may give water unto the people. When Moses and Aaron gathered the people together however, Moses said, ‘Hear ye, you rebels, must we fetch you water out of this rock?‘ Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice. Though water came out of the rock, the Lord told Moses and Aaron that they would not bring the people of Israel into the promised land because of their disobedience and failure to keep the Lord sanctified among the people (Numbers 20:16).
Everything that is free is not free.
Across the body of Christ, there are many ministry leaders and churches giving away various resources for ‘free.’ A few definitions of free (according to Dictionary.com) are:
- provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.
- not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.
- not subject to rules, set forms, etc.
- without cost, payment, or charge.
Leaders and churches are giving away these resources (i.e. books, slides, pictures), but not without YOU giving some form of your personal information. In exchange for the free resource, they ask that you subscribe to their newsletter/website/church by providing your name, e-mail address, etc. These resources are used to lure you to support an organization or person that you would not have previously. Then, you are subjected to continuous e-mails about their ‘for-profit’ items seeking to make merchandice of you:
I received a question from a friend on Facebook:
Besides the Word, what makes preaching effective? (paraphrase)
Here was my ‘seven’ cents:
- The Spirit’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4, 4:20).
- Not trying to please people (Galatians 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:3-5; James 4:4)
- Following the Holy Spirit’s direction for the message (especially when it’s not what you studied).
- Knowing that preaching is not about you (and your style of preaching/dress), but the One who called you (1 Corinthians 1:17).
- Being humble.
- Not looking at the number of people coming to the altar as a ‘sign’ of your ‘success.’
- Knowing your ‘success’ comes from being obedient and faithful to the Lord, not in what others say about your preaching (Matthew 25:14-30).
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/axcvilla
1. The foundation of any ministry grows from your love of God and compassion for His people (cf. Matthew 22:36-40; John 14:12).
2. Ministry is associated with serving others – giving and not receiving (cf. Acts 20:32-35).
3. Ministry is given freely from one’s talents, gifts, and calling(s).
1. There are times when we will not accept God’s will because it is not inline with what we want to do or believe is right at the time. In reading the story of Jonah, he was called of God to go to Ninevah to cry against it. Jonah therefore arose and fled from the presence of God in the opposite direction of Ninevah (Jonah 1:1-3). After he spoke against the city, it is discovered that He didn’t want to see the people of Ninevah repent of their evil (Jonah 4:1-3). He knew God would forgive them if they repented of their evil.
There are many things God will call us to do. Many times they will come without notice and may even challenge the way we believe or feel toward the intended audience…and we may not want to do what He asked us.
The hardest part for many people is to accept His will for them.
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