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When we hear the word “ministry” our default is to think solely of pastors and missionaries—those who are called to a particular area of vocational ministry.
One of the greatest privileges of the Christian is that God has called us ALL to the work of the ministry—that is, we are all to be image bearing humans who point others to Jesus.
Tyler Adkins
- Nintendo Came Out on the Market
- Tyler was the first kid on our block to get a Nintendo
- Usually when multiple kids are in the same room with a single gaming console, they have to patiently wait their turn
- My brother and I lucked out; Tyler never wanted to play… he only wanted to “watch”
- Tyler was a spectator
Super Bowl Sunday
- Some of you are avid football fans
- But you never played a day in your life; nor do you wish to (you like avoiding concussions)
Being a spectator in the sports world is completely acceptable.
Not so with Christianity.
Christians are not “fans” of Jesus; we are FOLLOWERS of Jesus
Christianity is NOT a spectator sport; God has called every real follower of Jesus to be involved in the work of the ministry.
My job as a pastor, is not just to DO the work of the ministry, but to equip and empower each of you to do the work of the ministry.
In today’s text, as Jesus looked over the crowds of people—who were like lost sheep without a shepherd—He instructed His disciples to pray for laborers.
This cry for laborers particular and universal.
It was particular, in that he had a specific call for the twelve apostles.
But I believe their was also a universal aspect to this prayer—because we are all called in to be laborers.
I want to focus, today, on our universal call to ministry.
Three Facets of Christ-Exalting Ministry: Proclamation, Perseverance, and Compassion
I. Proclamation
Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages
Cities were normally fortified with walls, villages were not
The Jewish historian, Josephus wrote that there were no less than 200 cities and villages in the region of Galilee, an area that was about 40 miles wide and 70 miles long.
Scholars estimated that the combined population of those cities and villages would have been—at minimum—3 million people, most of which would have encountered encountered Jesus directly.
Jesus traveled these cities for specific reasons: to teach, to proclaim, and to heal.
A) Three Aspects of Jesus Ministry Jesus’ Ministry
i. Teaching
Synagogues served as places of worship for the Jews
In these services you would have times of thanksgiving and blessings, some songs of praise, and the reading and teaching from the Hebrew Bible (OT)
The Jewish philosopher, Philo, who lived in Alexandria during the time of Jesus, wrote “Synagogues are mainly for the detailed reading and exposition of Scripture.”
The teaching of Scripture could be given by any qualified man, and often, the privilege was extended to visiting rabbis or dignitaries.
Jesus took advantage of that opportunity, and He would often teach in the Synagogues in a way that amazed and astonished the congregations.
Jesus faithfully taught the Scriptures and God still still calls some to vocational teaching, but that calling is NOT for everyone.
ii.
Healing (2nd Aspect of Jesus’ Ministry)
Jesus not only went about teaching with authority, but He demonstrated that He was the Messiah through signs and wonders.
Matthew 8 and 9 records a cluster of Jesus’ miracles, showing the pervasiveness of His healing.
What was the point of these miracles?
By healing the sick amongst many other miracles, Jesus demonstrated His deity and the fact that He was Israel’s Messiah.
That was the purpose of the miracles.
iii.
Proclamation of the Gospel (third aspect of Jesus’ earthly ministry)
Matthew 9:35 (ESV)
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
The Gospel of the Kingdom?
When the Bible talks about the Kingdom, it is speaking of the rule and reign of God, and the people who are under that rule.
Jesus inaugurated that Kingdom through His death and resurrection, and He is coming back again to consummate that Kingdom.
He His earthly ministry inviting people to move into that Kingdom through Himself.
He offered offered forgiveness, a restored relationship with God, and the ability to join this new humanity.
That invitation is open to us as well.
Jesus spent His earthly ministry proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom.
And we—are are part of that Kingdom—get to take part in the Good News proclamation!
B) We Share in the Calling to Proclaim the Gospel
We all know that the Gospel must still be proclaimed, but often we think it is the pastor and missionaries’ job to do so.
It is not just the 12 apostles—nor just the pastors—who are called to spreading the good news of Jesus.
It is the job of every believer.
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Acts 8:1–4 (ESV)
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.
But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
God has called each and every one of us to the work proclaim the good news of Jesus!
Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away.
So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn't able to buy it.
Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument.
But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector.
Kreisler made his way to the new owner's home and offered to buy the violin.
The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it.
Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea.
"Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked.
Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector's emotions were deeply stirred.
"I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed.
"It's yours, Mr. Kreisler.
Take it into the world, and let people hear it."
Friends, we have the best news in the world, and we are not meant to sit on that message.
We are called to shout it from the rooftops!
The facet of Christ-exalting ministry is Gospel proclamation!
II.
Perseverance (the second requirement for effective ministry)
A) Jesus Experienced Opposition and Persecution
Matthew 9:33–34 (ESV)
And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke.
And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus just set a demon-oppressed man free.
The Pharisees—the religious leaders—responded to Jesus with skepticism and condemnation.
As Jesus would move throughout His ministry, He would be questioned at every term.
Ultimately, He would be hung on the cross.
Jesus’ response?
In the face of opposition and rejection, He kept doing what God had called Him to do.
B) Jesus’ Followers will Experience Opposition and Persecution
Jesus told His followers to expect persecution:
It is unlikely that many of us with face death owing to our faith; but times are proving to be more difficult for Christians in America.
Be mocked
Be called outcasts or deemed as bigots (be accused of a hate crimes)
Perhaps a loss of job owing to our faith
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