Ministry 101

Acts 6:1–7 KJV 1900

1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

I. What is Ministry?

Look at verse 4

Acts 6:4 NASB95

4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Ministry of the word..

The word ministry here in the greek is the word, diakonia.

It is the same word used in verse 2

Acts 6:2 NASB95

2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

“Serve” tables.

To minister is to, serve

It is also used in verse 1

Acts 6:1 NASB95

1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

Serving of food.

The Greek word diakonian also is translated as, 1.service, help (Rev 2:19); 2. ministry, role or position of service (Ac 20:24); 3. provision, arrangement for support (Ac 6:1), 4. contribution, money given to help someone in need (Ac 6:1), waiting upon, serve food and drink to those eating

We minster to:

1. To people - Serve tables

A) Physical service.

Meeting others physical needs.

James 1:27 NASB95

27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

2 Corinthians 9:12 NASB95

12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.

B) Spiritual service - Minister the Word

John 21:17 NASB95

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.

Matthew 10:8 NASB95

8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

2. To God

Ezekiel 44:16–18 NASB95

16 “They shall enter My sanctuary; they shall come near to My table to minister to Me and keep My charge. 17 “It shall be that when they enter at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and wool shall not be on them while they are ministering in the gates of the inner court and in the house. 18 “Linen turbans shall be on their heads and linen undergarments shall be on their loins; they shall not gird themselves with anything which makes them sweat.

Psalm 134:1 NASB95

1 Behold, bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord, Who serve by night in the house of the Lord!

Psalm 135:2 NASB95

2 You who stand in the house of the Lord, In the courts of the house of our God!

The Hebrew word here for “serve” and “stand is the Hebrew word: amad, meaning “to stand, abide, continue, remain, tarry, to stay up, or to minister.”

Matthew 26:40–41 NASB95

40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

When we stand and continue in prayer, we minister to the Lord.

II. The Ministry of Jesus, our Example

Matthew 20:28 NASB95

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.”

Jesus, our example states that He did not come to be served, but to serve, to give.

He tells His disciples two verse previously what to do if they want to be great

Matthew 20:26 NASB95

26 “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,

Jesus is the greatest! If we desire to be great or do great things, we must be willing to serve and minister like Him.

Mark 6:34 NASB95

34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

Jesus ministered out of a compassionate heart.

James 5:11 NASB95

11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

The Lord is FULL of compassion.

3 ways jesus ministered

1. Teaching and Preaching.

Mark 4:1–2 NASB95

1 He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land. 2 And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,

Jesus was always teaching.

Example: the Sermon on the Mount.

It is a very compassionate thing to teach others.

This is what the old testament would say about Jesus.

Isaiah 40:11 NASB95

11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

2. Discipleship

The ministry of Jesus is about Discipling other.

Matthew 28:18–20 NASB95

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We have made the Great Commission, the great come mission.

The church has settle becoming Blockbuster, rather than Netflix.

We have long to see people come to us, rather than going to them.

to make disciples me must Go!

Go and do what? make disciple.

Who was Jesus commanding to go in this text? the disciples

Listen , you are not a disciple unless you are making disciples.

3. Healing

Isaiah in 4 place tells the people they will know the Messiah has come when they see these things.

Isaiah 29:18 NASB95

18 On that day the deaf will hear words of a book, And out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.

Isaiah 35:5–6 NASB95

5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah.

Isaiah 26:19 NASB95

19 Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.

Isaiah 61:1 NASB95

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

How do we know Jesus was the Messiah?

Luke 7:18–23 NASB95

18 The disciples of John reported to him about all these things. 19 Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?” 20 When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’ ” 21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 “Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”

Jesus did what He was prophesied to do, then he said

Matthew 10:7–8 NASB95

7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Now, you go and minister as i ministered.

III.Ministry and Intimacy

Effective ministry requires real intimacy.

Song of Solomon 1:4–5 NASB95

4 “Draw me after you and let us run together! The king has brought me into his chambers.” “We will rejoice in you and be glad; We will extol your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you.” 5 “I am black but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon.

Song of Solomon 1:4–5 The Message

4 Take me away with you! Let’s run off together! An elopement with my King-Lover! We’ll celebrate, we’ll sing, we’ll make great music. Yes! For your love is better than vintage wine. Everyone loves you—of course! And why not? 5 I am weathered but still elegant, oh, dear sisters in Jerusalem, Weather-darkened like Kedar desert tents, time-softened like Solomon’s Temple hangings.

Song of Solomon 1:4 The Message

4 Take me away with you! Let’s run off together! An elopement with my King-Lover! We’ll celebrate, we’ll sing, we’ll make great music. Yes! For your love is better than vintage wine. Everyone loves you—of course! And why not?

Draw me away!

We will run after you. (NKJ)

Notice the conversation

She prays, “Jesus, draw me away.” She longs to be drawn close to God’s heart in deep intimacy as an extravagant worshipper who loves God with all her heart.

Although we have the desire and the willingness to pursue after Him, we cannot help but feel a lack of strength for the pursuit.

Such a deep and beautiful cry for intimacy because before any of us are ministers we are all humans

Before I am a preacher I am a seeker and who how is in great need of God.

A man full of weakness and issues. One who heart is not always right.

Watchman Nee says, “His drawing power is our pursuing power.”

If the Lord has truly drawn us, it is very easy for us to pursue after Him.

Her desire is to be drawn away (intimacy) a cry for life changing encounter.

And we will run together. (This involves partnership and minister.)

You can not serve God in any way if you are not in deep relationship

"You lead by your gaze."

Now She prays, “We will run after You.” The ‘we’ refers to running with Jesus and His people.

Being drawn to God is singular but running with Him is plural. She longs to serve people in ministry partnership with Jesus and those who love Him.

Running represents a life of service motivated by compassion for people.

It involves obedience in action, reaching out to others, and stepping out in faith.

We run behind Jesus who sets the pace and in relationship with other people.

If You (God) draw us, "we will run after thee." Running after is pursuing something continuously. The power to run after the Lord comes from the drawing of the Lord His drawing power is our pursuing power.”

Thus, ministers are worshippers.