Synergos Lecture No 1

Intro

Topic: The Nature of the Ministry

Objective:

To understand the nature of Christian ministry;

To learn how workers can improve on their Christian service

Key Questions

what is “ministry” in the biblical sense?

Is ministry for everyone?

What does God expect from those who get involved in ministry

What are the key ministries that every church must have

Misconceptions about church ministry

ministry is for the pastor only

ministry can only be started or initiated by the pastor only

ministry requires formal education

ministry is for men only

ministry is only for those who have a direct “calling” from God

Biblical View of Ministry

Bible Words

λειτουργία (leitourgia). n. fem. service, role in serving, ministry. Refers to service offered in worship to God.

Hebrews 8:1–6 (NKJV)

1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

2 a Minister [grk. leiturgos] of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.

4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;

5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry [grk. leitourgia], inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

priests as leiturgos

the priestly works are leiturgia, services rendered to God

λατρεία (latreia). n. fem. ministry, religious service, worship, duties. Refers to religious service or worship.

the priests who ministered in the tabernacle in the O.T.

Hebrews 9:6 (NKJV)

6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services [grk. latreia].

Israel worship in general

Romans 9:4 (NKJV)

4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service [grk. latreia] of God, and the promises;

διακονία (diakonia). n. fem. ministry, service. Refers to a ministry or service; either waiting on others or a ministry in the church.

form of service in general

Luke 10:40 (NKJV)

40 But Martha was distracted with much serving [grk. diakonia], and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

the ministry of gospel proclation

Acts 20:24 NKJV

24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

various translations

distribution

Acts 6:1 NKJV

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

relief

Acts 11:29 NKJV

29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.

service

Romans 15:31 NKJV

31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

Ministry has 3 important implications

1.) Ministry is worship - when performed for God

this is the meaning of LEITOURGIA

OT priestly service - they killed the sacrifice, sprinkled the blood, poured oil on the lampstands, burned incense on teh golden altar

NT priestly work - praise and worship to God; ministering the word; reading the Bible; prayer, ministering through various gifts

Acts 13:1–3 (NKJV)

1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered [grk. leitourgeo] to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Romans 15:25–27 (NKJV)

25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister [grk diakoneo] to the saints.

26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.

27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister [grk. leitourgeo] to them in material things.

material contribution becomes a form of worship because it is given in reciprocation to spiritual benefits received.

2.) Worship is a freewill service (DIAKONIA)

ministry is a servce rendered by a freeman

ministry is service from a willing heart

although God appoints men for specific tasks (like preaching the gospel) the “call” indicates an invitation to which the “called” responds

1 Corinthians 9:17 NKJV

17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.

1 Peter 5:1–2 NKJV

1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

the gift of the Macedonian churches were given freely

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 NKJV

1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

Conclusion