Be engaged: Fulfill your ministry
Serving as the church - 2nd Timothy • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 1:13:29
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Take responsibility
Take responsibility
In this world we know it is hard for people to take responsibility for many things. Timothy specifically, and the church through implication are told to take responsibility.
Commissioning and encouraging words to Timothy (2Tim4:5)
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
See what instructions are given to Timothy (v.5)? Note them down
expand on this briefly
He was charged to preach the word (v.2)
For there was a time coming when the word was going to be traded, the truth traded for what is popular, for itching ears (v.3-4)
That is what led to our key verse for this morning.
(transition) Timothy was not given this commission and encouragement alone, we find one similar back in Colossians
Similar charge to Archippus (Col4:17)
17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
Who did Archippus received his ministry from (v.17)?
Because of it’s origin (in the Lord) Archippus, Timothy, and believers who have the seal of God on them and in them are able to fulfill the ministry.
Words to know and live by for you and me
(insert fulfill your ministry PowerPoint here)
Notice both use the word “ministry” - So, what does that mean, ministry, to minister. In a short article from Got Questions.com this is what it says
Ministry" is from the Greek word diakoneo, meaning "to serve" or douleuo, meaning "to serve as a slave." In the New Testament, ministry is seen as service to God and to other people in His name. Jesus provided the pattern for Christian ministry—He came, not to receive service, but to give it (see Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 13:1-17).
The Christian should minister by meeting people’s needs with love and humility on Christ’s behalf (see Matthew 20:26; Mark 10:43; John 2:5,9; Acts 6:3; Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Colossians 4:12). Christians are to minister to others out of their devotion to Christ and their love for others, whether the other people are believers or unbelievers. Ministry to others should be impartial and unconditional, always seeking to help others as Jesus would.
The ministry in our day has taken on more of a vocational meaning as we call pastors "ministers" to full-time service. Pastors do spend their lives in the ministry, they do minister to others, and they can rightly be designated as ministers, but pastors are not the only ones who are to be involved in ministry. From the early New Testament churches to the churches of our day, each Christian should be in the ministry of helping others (see Romans 12:3-8, 10-13; 2 Timothy 2:24-26).
The content of ministry seems to prioritize the ministering in spiritual things, not just practical things. Ministry should certainly place emphasis on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others so they can come to know Him and receive Him as personal Savior, go on to experience Him as Lord of their life, and go even further to know Christ as the essence of their Life (see John 1:12; Colossians 2:6-7; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:8-10). Ministry can, and should, include ministering to the physical, emotional, mental, vocational, and financial needs of others. Jesus did, and so should we!
One commentary summarizes the commission as “that thou keep on filling it full. It is a lifetime job
You may be asking yourself, what ministry do I have? I’m not trained to minister? But in reality you are equipped, you are given what God wants you to do to fulfill YOUR ministry, stay plugged in today as we look at:
Finding your ministry
Fulfilling your ministry
Finding Your Ministry
Finding Your Ministry
Yes, we all have ministry, but what does scripture have to say about knowing our ministry and why our ministry is important to the body of Christ.
There are many gifts given from the Lord (Rom12:3-8)
(Insert many gifts picture here)
God has given the gifts, and it started with a measure of faith Rom12:3 “3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”
From the measure of faith given comes to the gift given according to the grace given Rom12:6 “6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;”
Not all have the same gift -, not all have the same function Rom12:4 “4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,”
Not the same function, we have differing gifts Rom12:6-8 “6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Consider the words of Peter
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Who has received the gifts? What are we to do with the gifts, and why (1Pt4:10)?
Every given gift is important (1Cor12:14-25; Eph4:15-16)
(Insert one body many parts picture here)
On your outline there is a longer passage in 1Cor12, it is too long to read, but I will mention a few things it does. But as a simple christian, I encourage you to look up the passage.
Foot, hand, ear, eye, a are needed. If all were an eye, where would the hearing be, or the smelling (v.17)
God places the parts where He wants them, as He desires (v.18)
The body makes the body whole, and the whole body is needed, so we can care for one another: 1cor12:25 “25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”
None can say they are unimportant
None can say others are not needed, for all are needed. All are needed for the body to grow
15 Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head. 16 Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.
When each part works as it should, or does it’s share we grow, otherwise the body is handicapped in service and the body is hindered in growth.
(illustration) if all were . . . (expound on this)
Finding, discovering your spiritual gifts
Providence (1Cor7:18-24)
18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.
22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.
Go back and read through (1Cor7:18-24) Do you think the time, place and life situation if which you were called and obeyed the gospel may impact your service to and for the Lord?
Preparation (Ezr7:10; Mt25:14-18; 1Cor7:21)
10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.
What did Ezra do in preparation (Ezr7:10)?
Jesus told the parable of the talents about using what God has given you, you can read that in Mt25:14-18, in short God gives differing talents to differing people all to be used for the glory of God and not hidden away
You can serve from where you were called. 1Cor7:21 “21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.”
Prayer (Jm1:5; Pro2:1-9; 1Cor3:5)
(Insert pray for Gods wisdom picture here)
Prayers for wisdom to discern your gifts Jm1:5 “5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
And if you looked at Pro2:1-9, you would see that wisdom is provided to those who diligently seek it.
Through prayer, ask for open door to serve Him. 1Cor3:5 “5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.”
Through prayer ask for opportunities to serve him
Speaking of opportunities there are lot’s of opportunities to serve the body (expand and list a few)
Presentation (Pro16:3; Isa6:8; 1Pt4:10; Heb6:10)
(insert: Make yourself available picture here)
Make yourself available by presenting yourself for service to the Lord; Pro16:3 “3 Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.”
Make yourself available by as the prophet said Isa6:8 “8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!””
Then after making yourself available, minister to one another 1Pt4:10 “10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Think about this passage, this example.
10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.
So, a quick reminder, want to know your gifts, how to discover them? From Providence, preparation, prayer and presentation (making yourself available). Need to understand spiritual gifts in the body, consider taking the spiritual giftedness test, the info for it is in the bulletin
(Insert find my spiritual gift picture here)
(expand on this briefly)
Fulfilling your ministry
Fulfilling your ministry
Why are we to fulfill our ministry, serve the body? What is the purpose of it?
Fulfill your ministry to bless one another (1Pt4:10; Mk10:45)
we have read 1Pt4:10 today already but how about another version to shed more light?
10 Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God.
Even Jesus came to give, to serve Mk10:45 “45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””
Think about this are you a blessing to others with the gifts God has graciously given to you?
Fulfill your ministry to glorify God (1Pt4:11; Php1:9-11)
11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Paul offers up a great prayer about this to the church at Philippi
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Look at Paul’s prayer (Php1:9-11) What does he pray for others? Do you think that when received and applied it brings glory to God?
Ask yourself is God being glorified by my fulfilling my ministry? Am I being negligent in fulfilling my ministry? Are there things in this world keeping from fulfilling my ministry?
If we are honest, one day we are going to stand before the Lord at given an account to Him (Mt25:14-30)
What are we doing as we are waiting? - Are we burying our talents, useing our talents? Are we taking heed of the ministry given? Be diligent to the end. For God has called you, equipped you and will not forget
10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
(Invitation slide - fulfill your ministry)
(Song) (Prayer) (Exit)