PODCAST: Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth - The Cost of the Ministry

Title: The Cost of the Ministry

ME — Welcome to RDTWOT, Season 3… I am excited to have the opportunity to interview ministers from around the world who have paid the price to answer God’s call. And that’s what this season is all about - “the cost of the message.” Today, I am especially honored to interview Pastor Gene Alphin, of Lincoln, NE. Pastor Alphin, thank you for your time, please introduce yourself to our audience, and tell us a little about yourself and family.

Gene — introduce yourself, and end with something like “I’m glad to be on this podcast today…”

Bro. Powell it is my privilege to be with you today. My wife and I have been in Lincoln Nebraska for almost 14 years now. We love the Kingdom!

Myron — Thank you so much for being here today, and for being a wise servant leader. You’ve been a friend and fellow-laborer in Nebraska, and I appreciate you. Let’s get to our first question today: “How do you define the cost of ministry?”

Gene — your answer…

Any time there is a cost it means that there is something to be paid. Balance owed.

I feel like there is most defiantly a balance owed for the calling on my life…

A cost to be paid.

This question is difficult for me because I am the eternal optimist who for the most part don’t focus on what it cost… BUT there is a cost.

The bill is different for every individual…

For all of us it starts very similar.

YOUNG MINISTER:

Time of early consecration that takes us from the ball fields and drives us into the prayer room

God is asking are we willing to pay the price?

MATURING CALL:

Then as the call matures, the cost becomes discipline.

Will you intentionally do the things that your peers will not?

study

submission

character - 99% of preaching is what you do outside the pulpit

consistant prayer, fasting,

demands on yourself that no one else will make

FOCUSED CALL

Probably more along the lines of what you are looking for...

This seems intentionally painful at times - BECAUSE IT IS!

I have found that mostly this deals in rejection or loss.

When you say what the cost of ministry, I see that as being being patient enough to go through God’s process of perfecting your ministry.

That’s a debt that you will never satisfy!

… there could be some ad-lib, based on your answer…

Byron — …Pastor Alphin, would you be willing to describe one your greatest challenges related to answering God’s call?

GENE — your answer… (be as vulnerable (or not) as you want to)….

My first, last and greatest challenge has always been the same - and will always be; ME!

I accepted my call to preach at the age of 14 BUT I remember at a very early age arguing and wrestling with God about being called to preach.

My dad’s a preacher, grandfather, cousins, other family members were preachers - I argued with God about why he would call me… I WAS THE CHALLENGE!

As the call of God was developed in my life, my willingness or unwillingness has always been my greatest challenge - maybe I should say God’s greatest challenge - to answering God’s call.

About 15 years ago I went through a defining moment in my ministry.

My whole world was turned upside down.

I was accused of things I did not do.

I lost life long friends and partners in ministry.

My family was uprooted and thrust into chaos.

All my plans was down the drain.

All God’s plans seemed to have come unraveled.

I can’t tell you that I did everything perfect in the situation - BECAUSE AS I SAID, I AM MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE.

What I did do is trust that God had me in a process!

Great men of God in my life to help me and my family

I let God prefect me!

Bro. Powell I have come to truly believe that our greatest challenge is not Satan, other people… it’s ourselves.

Because it’s ourselves, God puts us through processes to learn to trust Him.

Consider Abraham: the guy made almost every decision wrong… until the last one!

And in the end God said: “Know I know!”

You trust me and and I can now trust you!

… again, there could be some ad-lib, based on your answer…

MYRON — … Pastor Alphin, thank you for your time today. Before we end this podcast, what advice would you give to those who are grappling with the ministry God is calling them to?

embrace the process

GENE — your answer…

Submit to the process - pay the price!

Proverbs 18:16 KJV 1900

16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

We like the last part of that but will never see it until we figure out the first part.

A man gift makes room for him...

Maketh = to grow wide and large.

If you wont make room for yourself, grow yourself wide and large then you will have no need to stand before anyone!

PAY THE PRICE!

… again, there could be some ad-lib, based on your answer…

CLOSING…

ME — Thank you for listening today, and for sharing this podcast with your friends. If you have questions, please email us at [e-mail] - God bless you, in Jesus’ name!