M401: Lesson 2: Preparation for Ministry

Preparation for Ministry

Key Verse: “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20–21 (NKJV)

Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to help the disciple understand the importance and principles of preparing for Christian ministry.

The call to ministry signals the need to PREPARE for ministry.

God called Saul of Tarsus (Paul) as His vessel, but it was much later before the Lord confirmed this calling in the local church which then commissioned and sent him forth to fulfill God’s call.

Acts 9:15 (NKJV) “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.’”

Acts 13:2–3 (NKJV) “As they ministered 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.”

If God has called you to a certain type of ministry, begin gaining the knowledge, tools, and practical skills necessary to do that ministry with excellence.

Preparation for ministry begins on the INSIDE.

Ministry is about being a SERVANT of Christ to OTHERS.

Ministry is not focused on the servant but upon those to whom God sends His servant. God sees the needs of others and sends His servants to go in His name to meet the need.

The servant of God must first count the COST.

Luke 14:27–33 (NKJV) “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

Christian ministry is an invitation to take up one’s cross to serve in Christ’s kingdom. Personal sacrifices required to fulfill the call of God must be realistically considered upfront and embraced.

The servant of God must be an EXAMPLE for others to follow.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV) “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Philippians 3:17 (NKJV) “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”

Those in ministry must model the Christian life as an example for new believers to follow.

We are all examples, whether good or bad. Choose to be a good one.

The servant of God must be clothed with HUMILITY.

1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV) “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”

Divine grace for ministry is only given to those who understand and exhibit genuine humility.

The servant of God must be motivated by LOVE that flows from a PURE heart, a GOOD conscience, and a SINCERE faith.

1 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV) “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,”

The servant of God must prepare themselves to properly reflect God’s ORDER in creation and marriage both in the home and in the church.

1 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV) “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”

Ephesians 5:22–27 (NKJV) “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

1 Timothy 2:11–14 (NKJV) “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” (This specifically applies to the office and role of Pastors / Elders as overseers and teachers of doctrine in the church.)

1 Timothy 3:5 (NKJV) “(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);”

God established his order for men and women in creation. Men and women are equal in worth and in redemption. God created men and women to be distinct and complementary in purpose, design, roles, and function in marriage and in the church.

1 Corinthians 11:11 (NKJV) “Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord.”

The world ignores or rebels against God’s order. The servants of God seek to honor, uphold, and reflect His order.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (NKJV) “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

The servant whom God will use must be HONORABLE.

2 Timothy 2:19–21 (NKJV) “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’ 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”

Luke 2:52 (NKJV) “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

1 Timothy 3:7 (NKJV) “Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (Bishops / Overseers)

An honorable vessel is one whose life is honorable before men and whose ministry brings honor to the Lord.

The servant of God must be willing to be TESTED for ability, maturity, and faithfulness before being fully commissioned for leadership in the church.

1 Timothy 3:6 (NKJV) “not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.”

1 Timothy 3:10 (NKJV) “But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.”

1 Timothy 5:22 (NKJV) “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.”

The servant of God must learn to DISCIPLINE their lives lest they become DISQUALIFIED.

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV) “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

The servant of God must KNOW Him, BELIEVE in Him, and UNDERSTAND Him.

Isaiah 43:10–11 (NKJV) “‘You are My witnesses,’ says the LORD, ‘and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior.’”

Philippians 3:10–11 (NKJV) “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

How can a minister introduce others to One they themselves do not know, encourage others to believe in One whom they themselves have not believed, or convey understanding about One whom they themselves do not understand?

The servant of God must spend time with Him in SECRET PRAYER.

Matthew 6:6 (NKJV) “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Robert Murray McCheyne: “I ought to pray before seeing any one. Often when I sleep long, or meet with others early, and then have family prayer, and breakfast, and forenoon callers, often it is eleven or twelve o’clock before I begin secret prayer. This is a wretched system. It is unscriptural. Christ rose before day, and went into a solitary place. David says, ‘Early will I seek thee; thou shalt early hear my voice.’ Mary Magdalene came to the sepulchre while it was yet dark. Family prayer loses much of its power and sweetness; and I can do no good to those who come to seek from me. The conscience feels guilty, the soul unfed, the lamp not trimmed. Then, when secret prayer comes, the soul is often out of tune. I feel it is far better to begin with God—to see his face first—to get my soul near him before it is near another. ‘When I awake I am still with thee.’”[1]

The servant of God must spend time reading and studying the BIBLE so that they might be proficiently QUALIFIED and fully EQUIPPED for every good work of ministry.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NKJV) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The servant of God must carefully STUDY God’s word so that they might accurately INTERPRET Scripture and TEACH sound doctrine.

1 Timothy 4:16 (NKJV) “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

2 Timothy 1:13 (NKJV) “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Peter 1:20–21 (NKJV) “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

James 3:1 (NKJV) “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

Scripture is not to be interpreted based on what it means to “me”, what we would like for it to mean, or on what others think it means. The only correct interpretation is the one the Holy Spirit intended. We must study to find the real meaning before we teach it to others. Opinions must be clarified.

The servant of God must develop the ability to speak the TRUTH in LOVE.

Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV) “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—"

Truth and love are like the two edges on a two-edged sword. Truth without love leads to legalism. Love without truth leads to license.

Someone has said, “Truth without love is mean. Love without truth is meaningless.”

Colossians 4:6 (NKJV) “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

The servant of God must STIR UP the gift imparted by God for ministry.

2 Timothy 1:6–7 (NKJV) “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Ephesians 4:7 (NKJV) “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

God’s gift for ministry is like a fire that must be stirred and fueled through devotional time with Him.

The servant of God must not allow the spirit of fear and intimidation to quench the fire of God’s gift for ministry.

The servant of God must become STRONG in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV) “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

The servant of God cannot stand up under the pressures of ministry in their own strength. Those who try will eventually burn out or fall away. They must draw from and rely upon the grace of God as their strength for ministry. The presence or absence of the grace of God is the determining factor between those who stand and those who fall.

The servant of God must be prepared to endure HARDSHIP.

2 Timothy 2:3 (NKJV) “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

2 Timothy 2:10 (NKJV) “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”

2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV) “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV) “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”

The servant of God must eliminate sinful and worldly ENTANGLEMENTS.

2 Timothy 2:4 (NKJV) “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

2 Timothy 2:22 (NKJV) “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

The servant of God must follow and obey the RULES of the word of God lest their ministry be disqualified.

2 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

The servant of God must learn to discern and avoid FOOLISH debates and STRIFE over controversial subjects that do not EDIFY the hearers.

1 Timothy 6:3–5 (NKJV) “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.”

2 Timothy 2:14 (NKJV) “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.”

2 Timothy 2:16 (NKJV) “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”

2 Timothy 2:23–26 (NKJV) “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

Don’t take the bait to be drawn into debates and arguments over foolish and inconsequential subjects that undermine healthy Christian development.

The servant of God must be free from the love of MONEY and the pursuit of material GAIN as the motivation for ministry.

1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV) “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

1 Peter 5:2 (NKJV) “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;”

Those who serve God in full-time ministry are worthy of their hire (1 Corinthians 9:7-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). This is not always practical or possible. Servants of God must be ready and willing to do the will of God for heavenly reward regardless of earthly compensation.

As a faithful watchman, the servant of God must discern the spiritual DAY and TIME in which they live and minister.

2 Timothy 3:1 (NKJV) “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:”

2 Timothy 4:1–5 (NKJV) “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

The servant of God must seek to accurately discern and understand the challenges and needs of their generation to effectively target the challenges of their generation.

The servant of God must strive to FULFILL their divine assignment in ministry.

2 Timothy 4:5–7 (NKJV) “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

The servant of God must rest in God’s PRESENCE and PRESERVATION until the time their ministry assignment on earth is complete.

Matthew 28:20 (NKJV) “‘teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”

2 Timothy 4:17–18 (NKJV) “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”

[1] McCheyne, R. M. (1848). The Works of the Late Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne (Vol. 1, p. 140). New York: Robert Carter.