9 Ministry Principles part 2

Announcements:

Introduction:

Tonight, we shift the focus inward and outward—how we grow in the Word, serve one another, and reflect the heart of Jesus through servant leadership.

In the book of Acts, the early church grew strong not because of a slick program, but because believers were committed—to Scripture, service, and selfless love. That’s what these next three principles are about. They ask?

Am I rooted in God’s Word?

Am I serving in the Body of Christ/local church?

Am I leading like Jesus Christ?

Philippians 2:3 NKJV

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Recap:

1. We Are a House of Prayer

We aren’t just a church with prayer—we are a church of prayer. In all things, we depend on God, not ourselves.

2. We are Always Making Disciples

Every minsitry, every message, every moment in church life is shaped by the Great Commission—making disciples who follow Jesus.

Replace or the ministry will die.

3.We Have the Final Authority: God’s Word

Scripture isn’t just a guide, it’s the standard. We don’t stand over God’s Word with eisegesis—we stand under it, exegesis.

4. Our Disciples are Accountable in the Word

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Colossians 3:16 NKJV

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Spiritual maturity happens in community, not isolation.

Accountability keeps us sharp, corrects error, and strengthens the body of Christ here at Calvary Harvest.

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV

17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Who do you regularly talk with about what you are learning in the Word?

Practical Application:

Join a study or pray about being a part of our discipleship program.

Don’t just learn, which leads to being constipated sheep—share, teach, and discuss what you are learning.

In the early Church, Christians gathered to read letters out loud and discuss them. Today, too many read in silence and stay disconnected. Iron sharpens iron only when it is in contact. This is one of the main reasons we read large portions of Scripture together.

Questions?

5. Our Disciples Engage in Minsitry Service

1 Corinthians 12:18–27 NKJV

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

Romans 12:4–8 NKJV

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Every member is a minister; no one is unnecessary.

Ephesians 4:11–13 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

Ministry is not reserved for a few professionals—we are a team.

What are some unseen ministries in the church that really matter?

What is one gift or ability God has given you? How are you using it to serve His church?

Practical Application:

Discover your gift and try a minsitry

Look for areas of need and step in.

Don’t wait for perfection; start with willingness and be flexible.

A football team where only the quarterback plays would lose every time. The church wins when every member plays their role on the field, not just watches from the stands.

6. Our leaders Are Servant Leaders

Matthew 20:26–28 NKJV

26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Leadership is not about lording over people, it isn’t about position either, but posture

An example of Jesus’ servant leadership style:

John 13:12–17 NKJV

12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

1 Peter 5:2–3 NKJV

2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

The more responsibility you carry, the more people you will serve.

Who’s a leader, in the past, you respected because of how they served?

Practical Application:

Lead by example, not command.

Look for lowly tasks and take initiative.

Model leadership through character, not title.

Step up in responsibility with humility.

Egalitarianism//Difference between men and women, but also between men. Not all will be a pastor, but all men will be a leader to some extent within the family unity.

Jesus washed feet—a job reserved for the lowest servant. Peter resisted. Leadership starts with humility, not authority. True leaders stoop low to serve as Christ served His disciples.