Lesson 11: True Ministry

A missions director once met with the mother of one of his agency’s missionaries and spent some time getting to know her. She prepared tea for the director in her parlor and as they drank the tea, she explained to him the difficulty of having a daughter on the mission field of China and a son as a missionary in Sudan. She loved and missed them dearly, but as she explained, her love for God allowed her to let them follow His will for their lives. The mother went on to describe the burden her son had for the Sudanese people. Her relay of his description of the people brought her to tears several times during the conversation. The missions director left her house with a deeper appreciation for the parents of missionaries and a greater burden for the country of Sudan.

A few months later the missions director got word that a missionary in Sudan had been killed—it was the Scottish lady’s son. Feeling he should be the one to break the news to her, he once again visited the mother in her home. After telling her the tragic news, the mother looked down, and in a few moments of composure she said, “Sir, I would rather have my son die in the middle of Sudan, alone, than to have him living here with me, disobeying God’s will.”

I want to talk about Lesson 11: True Ministry tonight. True Ministry that is rejoices in all that God is doing and that God does.

Colossians 1:24-29

Paul has been continuing his doctrinal teachings concerning Jesus Christ. Who He is and what He has done for us.

We have mentioned several times that when it comes right down to it that is always “ALL ABOUT CHRIST.” That is still true for our study tonight.

When we have the focus on ourselves, we are

I. The Rejoicing in Ministry v.24

Philippians 4:4 AV

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

We understand that command, we understand rejoicing don’t we?

I thought about that and usually I can come up with a quick definition, and as I attempted to, I considered that I don’t remember ever studying rejoicing out. I’ve sutdied joy, I’ve studied out glory.

But not rejoice.

So, to quickly define it: To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult.

So ministry, should be something that we rejoice about and to be involved in. What an honor and what a privilege to serve the living King of heaven in ministry. Everyone who says I will serve, knows that there will be problems along the way, but the reality is, there are often problems, hurdles, and even sadness.

But still we need to rejoice in ministry.

A. While enduring suffering

Paul said in vs. 24: “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you.”

What were his sufferings, they are not mentioned here, but they are mentioned in several other places, the most complete list being in 2 Corinthians 11.

Paul was going to rejoice though he suffered much. Why, because he was in the ministry. He was part of God’s plan - He was in the Lord’s will serving God and ministering to people.

1 Timothy 1:12 AV

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

For many people, that is their life verse. I cannot do that, I’m to ashamed to. I’ll let Paul claim that verse, you can claim it, but I won’t. I won’t claim that “counted me faithful” part. But I do want to be faithful.

Paul knew the sufferings he would face, even going to Jerusalem - he knew suffering was involved. He rejoiced in it.

It gave him an exuberant joy to know that God would use him.

B. Making up the difference

We can rejoice in that to. Paul continued with this statement.

“…fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh...”

This is a hard statement to understand. Many don’t interpret it or misinterpret it. The Catholics have used it for the justification of indulgences, paying up for the lack of others or for the redemption of others or for their own sins.

I think there is an explanation though. Much service for God not only involves your ministry but also making up the difference for others.

It has often been said that about 20% of of the church carries 80% of the load. That is true in giving, service, likely prayer as well.

All of us have a calling, a ministry I hope, but have you ever found yourself trying to cover someone else's ministry or cover an area that is needed because there is no one there serving.

Don’t complain, rather rejoice that you can make up the difference, even enduring and suffering at times in the process. Because there is a great truth and promise herein- Christ suffers with you.

Whenever you and I suffer, and sacrifice, and are afflicted, especially for His sake, He is there with us and there is a sweet fellowship to be found with Him.

C. Anything for the sake of the church

Paul’s attitude was that He would do anything for the church, suffer anything, endure and affliction.

Why, because the people are so great? Because the facilities are great, or because the preacher is great? Not any of these, the reason He gave himself and sacrifice so much was because it was Christ’s church.

II. The Making of Ministers vv.25-28

Now I would like to take these next couple of verses which Paul describes what he is before God as a minister and apply that to us.

A. God makes ministers v.25

Remember that, God makes and molds His servants. While there is always order in the church and approval process, remember that:

1. It was God who called you

“Whereof I am made a minister,”

Man does not make us nor call us, it is of the Lord.

2. According to God’s dispensation

A dispensation is: a God bestowed system of principles and rites enjoined.

This means it is God’s doing, it His plan - we don’t have to manipulate people, force people or twists arms to get people to serve. God will do it.

Many churches have come up with schemes to get people to serve. The Mormons make everyone of their young men do missionary service. The Jehovah witnesses get their people to visit for 20+ hours a week for heaven. Man tries to come up with his ways, but if we depend on God, He will do it.

That’s how Paul did it.

3. Given to you for others

“which is given me for you”

All ministry is through someone to someone. It is not for us, it is for others. But to get to others, it has to go through us.

4. In accordance with the Word

“to fulfil the word of God.”

B. God made ministers to follow God given teachings

You know one of the reasons I like preaching through a book of the Bible because we cannot pick and choose what we preach and teach - we have to address and learn what is written therein no matter how convenient or inconvenient.

No matter if it goes along with culture or contradicts our culture.

1. Declaring the mysteries

The mysteries that were once mysteries, but now are revealed to us in God’s Word.

2.Declaring the riches of glory

The blessings and benefits of having a relationship with Christ, and a home in eternity. These are great and wonderful promises that need to be declared.

3. Declaring Christ, the hope of glory

That Jesus Christ is the hope of all mankind and the hope of eternal salvation. That is all rests on Him; depends on Him, and is found in Him. It is all about Him.

C. God made ministers to reach people

It is all about Christ, indeed. But Christ was all about people. So was Paul. Ministry is not geography, it is people. So we are to be reaching people with this message.

1. Christ is still the answer

“Whom we preach”

2. Preaching Christ to everyone we can

“warning every man”

3. Teaching Christ to everyone we can

“teaching every man”

4. In wisdom

Don’t be foolish with your witness.

Don’t be proud in your witness, don’t be harsh with the truth.

Ephesians 4:15 AV

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Matthew 10:16 AV

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

5. To change their lives

“that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

Changing lives takes the transforming power of the Gospel and there is no substitute for that.

2 Corinthians 5:17 AV

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Romans 12:2 AV

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

III. The Secret of Paul’s success

Paul gives a simple glimpse that really is quite a full statement as to how to have success in ministry. It is not complicated and it is not even a mystery because it is a truth that is often repeated in God’s Word. Here is the first part of it:

A. I labour

There is a responsibility that is often overlooked, it is the importance to of being productive and laboring on behalf of Christ.

The key to the Great Commission which we often mention here is the very first word of it in both Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15. That key word in both of those passages is the ord God.

We have to not just decide to labor but then do it.

God cannot use someone who will not move. You can lay that in your bed all day and say God, if it is your will for me to go reach someone for you - you are going to have to move me out of this bed - or off the couch; or out of the air conditioning.

We have to go and labor and then trust God.

B. HIS working

Referring to God’s working.

Colossians 1:11 already told us earlier in our study: “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power...”

2 Peter 1:3 AV

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

John 15:5 AV

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

We are to reach men through Christ.

Labor, yes, strive, of course. But we labor, strive, preach, teach that men and women might be saved, that God might change lives.