17 Church Ministries The Model of Ministry is Jesus Christ

Our Lord never Pastored a church, but he did shepherd a small group of men whom he lovingly called his "little flock" (Luke 12:32). Page 115

Thomas a Kempis in the Imitation of Christ:

“He that followeth Me, walketh not in darkness," saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished how we ought to imitate His life and manners, if we will be truly enlightened, and be delivered from all blindness of heart. Let therefore our chiefest endeavor be, to meditate upon the life of Christ .... But whosoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ.”

What theologians call "sanctification" is simply the process of following Christ and being transformed by the Spirit into his likeness. Page 116

It's good to be organized and efficient as long as you have the heart of a servant; otherwise, you may end up using and abusing people instead of helping them. Page 116

Though he was eternal God, Jesus still had a human body with its self-imposed limitations; therefore, he had to pray, trust the Word, and depend on the power of the Spirit, even as his followers must do today. Page 116

His motive for ministry was to please the Father. "I do always those things that please him" (John 8:29 KJV). Page 117

Jesus was gentle and forgiving toward broken sinners, but stern and resolute toward people who were proud and hypocritical. Page 117

No wonder Jesus attracted sinners (Luke 15:1-2) while the Pharisees repelled them, for Jesus was a shepherd seeking the lost (Luke 15:3-7) and a physician making house calls on the spiritually sick (Luke 5:27-32). Page 117

Jesus had the heart of a servant. To ``preach Christ" but not practice servanthood is to tear apart what God has put together. Page 117

Jesus was a leader who served and a servant who led, and his great heart of love-for the Father and for the people-held this leadership and servanthood together and kept them balanced. Page 117

Philippians 2:5-11 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Henri Nouwen is right: "The beginning and the end of all Christian leadership is to give your life for others." Page 118

Crucifixion is one form of death you can't inflict on yourself; all you can do is surrender. Page 119

Jesus accepted people as they were and adapted his approach to meet their needs. Page 120

To the woman at the well, he spoke of living water. With Nicodemus, he discussed the new birth. To the critical Pharisees, he spoke of lost sheep and concerned physicians. Page 121

Nor was our Lord always “successful" with every person who sought him. The rich young ruler went away sorrowful, nine lepers never thanked him for healing them, and Judas went out and hanged himself. Page 121

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP:

John 13:1-12 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

i. His Ministry was Sacrificial.

a. People aren’t scaffolding…you don’t use them to build on.

b. People are souls…you serve them, because they will spend eternity somewhere.

ii. His Ministry was Self-Denying.

a. He washed the doubter’s feet. (Thomas)

b. He washed the denier’s feet. (Peter)

c. He washed the deserter’s feet. (Judas)

iii. His Ministry was the Standard.