5.1.47 10.21.2018 Ephesians 6.21-24 Encouraging the Work of Ministry

Entice: It is not uncommon to ask someone what they want for their birthday or Christmas. I have never had anyone ask me what I wanted for Pastor Appreciation month. Awkward…!This is a month which is all about encouragement. It is true there are times when ministry can be discouraging. And everyone dreams about "what would encourage me most." Which is often just another way of saying “this is what makes me happy.” It's just a little awkward, to...talk...about. It's a new "holiday". We are still feeling our way.

• Entice: It is not uncommon to ask someone what they want for their birthday or Christmas. I have never had anyone ask me what I wanted for Pastor Appreciation

month. This is a month which is all about encouragement. It is true there are times when ministry can be discouraging. And everyone dreams about "what would

encourage me most." It's just a little awkward. It's a new "holiday". We are still feeling our way.

Engage: Let’s find some neutral ground, let’s talk about you. In your job what encourages you? As a parent? Within your passions? Many of you have been in church leadership long enough that you realize that ministry involves all of those emotions as mixed and powerful as they can be.

• Engage: In your job what encourages you? As a parent? Within your passions? Many of you have been in church leadership long enough that you realize that

ministry involves all of those emotions as mixed and powerful as they can be.

Expand: So, yes-It is a little uncomfortable for me to talk and you to listen about what would "make me happy" as a minister. There is a point; however. In fact there is a text. The last few verses in Ephesians are all about this issue of mutual encouragement for the sake of ministry. Not to make me happy, or Paul happy, or our Elders, or even the members of this Church. We encourage one another so that hopefully at the end of our ministry journey we make Jesus happy!

• Expand: It is a little uncomfortable for me to talk and you to listen about what would "make me happy" as a minister. There is a point; however. In fact there is a text.

Ephesians 6:21–24 ESV

21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

The last few verses in Ephesians are all about this issue of mutual encouragement for the sake of ministry. Not to make me happy, or Paul happy, or our Elders, or

even the members of this Church. We encourage one another so that hopefully at the end of our ministry journey we make Jesus happy!

Explore: We encourage ministry best by demonstrating ministry ourselves.

• Excite:

• Explore: We encourage ministry best by demonstrating ministry ourselves.

Explain: Three key behaviors which encourage the work of ministry.

• Explain: Three key behaviors which encourage the work of ministry.

▾ Body of Sermon:

Be Trustworthy.

▾ Be Trustworthy.

Faithfulness in service. (faithful minister)

• Faithfulness in service. (faithful minister)

Unity in service. (Beloved brother)

• Unity in service. (Beloved brother)

Be Transparent.

▾ Be Transparent.

Information...(know how we are)

• Information..(know how we are)

Edification…(encourage your hearts)

Be Truthful.

▾ Be Truthful.

Doctrinal clarity. (Peace, Love, faith, Grace)

• Doctrinal clarity. (Peace, Love, faith, Grace)

Devotional purity. (Responding to God the Father the Lord Jesus Christ)

• Devotional purity. (Responding to God the Father the Lord Jesus Christ)

Shut Down Sermon Here

▾ Shut Down:

• I have often said that it would be great to die in the pulpit. I only want to do that if my ministry lives on in Bryson Lee & Reese Compton. It's ok if my voice goes silent so long as it is echoed in the voices of others-inasmuch as I have faithfully preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• I have often said that it would be great to die in the pulpit. I only want to do that if my ministry lives on in Bryson Lee & Reese Compton. It's ok if my voice goes

silent so long as it is echoed in the voices of others-inasmuch as I have faithfully preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• It is far better encouragement to see others performing tasks of ministry that it is to have a pat on the back.

• Jesus did not go to the cross for Peter to fist bump him and say "dude…nice job with that crucifixion thing!!" Jesus went to the cross so that Peter could preach on Pentecost. Paul did not convert guys like Tychicus so that he could have an entourage. He called those young men to his side and trained them so that when his voice fell silent his work would continue.

• Jesus did not go to the cross for Peter to fist bump him and say "dude…nice job with that crucifixion thing!!" Jesus went to the cross so that Peter could preach on

That is the best encouragement any minister could ever ask for.

Pentecost. Paul did not convert guys like Tychicus so that he could have an entourage. He called those young men to his side and trained them so that when his

voice fell silent his legacy would continue. That is the best encouragement any minister could ever ask for.

Related Media

Related Sermons