A Sufferer
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Introduction:
Introduction:
The English word ministry reflects several related ideas that are expressed by distinct terms in the original languages of the Bible, but these ideas point uniformly to the broad definition of ministry as service, the investment of self for another’s advancement, whether in relation to God or other human beings. Prominent NT metaphors for ministry including working as a body with many parts (Rom 12:5–8), constructing a building (1 Cor 3:10–15) and planting and nurturing crops (1 Cor 3:5–9; see Farming), but the single most consistent image of ministry in the Bible is the priest. Through a powerful progression of situations, characters and instructions in Scripture centered on the priest, ministry is defined as an investment of self for another’s advancement that requires vision and daily devotion
The English word ministry reflects several related ideas that are expressed by distinct terms in the original languages of the Bible, but these ideas point uniformly to the broad definition of ministry as service, the investment of self for another’s advancement, whether in relation to God or other human beings. Prominent NT metaphors for ministry including working as a body with many parts (Rom 12:5–8), constructing a building (1 Cor 3:10–15) and planting and nurturing crops (1 Cor 3:5–9; see Farming), but the single most consistent image of ministry in the Bible is the priest. Through a powerful progression of situations, characters and instructions in Scripture centered on the priest, ministry is defined as an investment of self for another’s advancement that requires vision and daily devotion
An Investment of Self.God.
An Investment of Self.God.
All followers of Yahweh are called to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut 6:5 NIV); ministry is defined, in fact, by this type of love for God that encompasses every part of a person’s being. So a catalog of selfhood emerges as the biblical writers consider what parts of a person should be dedicated to God. According to those who ministered to God, an investment of self includes valued possessions like cattle (Ex 10:26); energy; the focused devotion of time, as demonstrated by Joshua’s house (Josh 24:15–16), Manasseh (2 Chron 33:16), Hezekiah (2 Chron 31:2) and the priests in general (Ex 28:35, 43; 29:30; 30:20; Num 18:2; 1 Kings 8:11); verbal praise (Ps 135:2); and musical skills (1 Chron 6:32). Self-investment includes all gifts and abilities; prophesying, serving, teaching, helping those in need, encouraging, governing and showing mercy are a few (Rom 12:6–8). Ministry is as varied as are personalities, but it is focused on glorifying God (1 Cor 12:5). Peter summarizes the Bible’s consistent image of ministry as self-investment: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Pet 4:10 NIV). By virtue of being created by God, each person is given a ministry, a way to minister to him.
All followers of Yahweh are called to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut 6:5 NIV); ministry is defined, in fact, by this type of love for God that encompasses every part of a person’s being. So a catalog of selfhood emerges as the biblical writers consider what parts of a person should be dedicated to God. According to those who ministered to God, an investment of self includes valued possessions like cattle (Ex 10:26); energy; the focused devotion of time, as demonstrated by Joshua’s house (Josh 24:15–16), Manasseh (2 Chron 33:16), Hezekiah (2 Chron 31:2) and the priests in general (Ex 28:35, 43; 29:30; 30:20; Num 18:2; 1 Kings 8:11); verbal praise (Ps 135:2); and musical skills (1 Chron 6:32). Self-investment includes all gifts and abilities; prophesying, serving, teaching, helping those in need, encouraging, governing and showing mercy are a few (Rom 12:6–8). Ministry is as varied as are personalities, but it is focused on glorifying God (1 Cor 12:5). Peter summarizes the Bible’s consistent image of ministry as self-investment: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Pet 4:10 NIV). By virtue of being created by God, each person is given a ministry, a way to minister to him.
Ministry to God
Ministry to God
The self-investment of ministry is motivated by desire to advance another person’s interest, in relation both to God and to other people. There are two images of ministry to God described in Scripture. He ordained that the ceremony, sacrifices and prayers of the law be performed to advance the glory of his name; the priests who ministered these things were forefathers to the wider priesthood of those who minister by the second means. As demonstrated by Jesus, through the Holy Spirit’s strength, all believers minister to God by demonstrating love to other people, sharing the good news of reconciliation to God in words and action. By both the law and the Holy Spirit’s power in human action, God is glorified and his purposes on earth are advanced (2 Cor 3:7
The self-investment of ministry is motivated by desire to advance another person’s interest, in relation both to God and to other people. There are two images of ministry to God described in Scripture. He ordained that the ceremony, sacrifices and prayers of the law be performed to advance the glory of his name; the priests who ministered these things were forefathers to the wider priesthood of those who minister by the second means. As demonstrated by Jesus, through the Holy Spirit’s strength, all believers minister to God by demonstrating love to other people, sharing the good news of reconciliation to God in words and action. By both the law and the Holy Spirit’s power in human action, God is glorified and his purposes on earth are advanced (2 Cor 3:7
Ministry of the Word of God
Ministry of the Word of God
OT images of ministry focus primarily on ministering to God; the NT writers aim for that goal but describe ministry to people as one “of the word of God.” Minister connotes one who brings something good, something needed: sacrifices brought to God in the OT are replaced by the gospel of Jesus brought to other people as the primary ministry in the NT. Paul uses the phrase “a minister of Christ on your behalf” to describe a fellow believer (Col 1:7 NKJV) and encourages Timothy to be a good “minister of Christ Jesus” by standing diligently against false teaching (1 Tim 4:6 NIV).
OT images of ministry focus primarily on ministering to God; the NT writers aim for that goal but describe ministry to people as one “of the word of God.” Minister connotes one who brings something good, something needed: sacrifices brought to God in the OT are replaced by the gospel of Jesus brought to other people as the primary ministry in the NT. Paul uses the phrase “a minister of Christ on your behalf” to describe a fellow believer (Col 1:7 NKJV) and encourages Timothy to be a good “minister of Christ Jesus” by standing diligently against false teaching (1 Tim 4:6 NIV).
Summary
Summary
Ministry as Cooperation.
Ministry as Cooperation.
True ministry finds no room for pride. The ministry of Christ to others invites metaphors of design in which the crucial paradox of human effort versus the work of the Holy Spirit is captured. Ministry to people is dependent on God, a truth illustrated by imagery from farming and architecture. Paul tells the churches, “You are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Cor 3:9 NIV). He explains that human ministers are assigned different tasks according to their gifts, parallel to agricultural planting and watering, but concludes that “neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Cor 3:7 NIV). Similarly, as an architect rather than the builders has primary responsibility for the completion of a building, so God “who began a good work in you will carry it to completion” (Phil 1:6 NIV). Ministry to people is dependent on the work of God first and foremost; human ministers cooperate to accomplish his designs.
True ministry finds no room for pride. The ministry of Christ to others invites metaphors of design in which the crucial paradox of human effort versus the work of the Holy Spirit is captured. Ministry to people is dependent on God, a truth illustrated by imagery from farming and architecture. Paul tells the churches, “You are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Cor 3:9 NIV). He explains that human ministers are assigned different tasks according to their gifts, parallel to agricultural planting and watering, but concludes that “neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Cor 3:7 NIV). Similarly, as an architect rather than the builders has primary responsibility for the completion of a building, so God “who began a good work in you will carry it to completion” (Phil 1:6 NIV). Ministry to people is dependent on the work of God first and foremost; human ministers cooperate to accomplish his designs.
Ryken, L., Wilhoit, J., Longman, T., Duriez, C., Penney, D., & Reid, D. G. (2000). In Dictionary of biblical imagery (electronic ed., p. 559). InterVarsity Press.