Connecting the Dots of Ministry

1 Peter 4:7–11 KJV 1900

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

So Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd break into a distillery. Daffy turns to Elmer and says: “Is this Whiskey?” Elmer says: “Yeth, but not as whiskey as wobbing a bank!”

Introduction

One of my favorite activities in school as a little kid was those connect the dot worksheets. (On the Cover of the bulletin today we have included one). It has actually been a focus of my preaching. Throughout my ministry I have sought to help you to connect the dots in your Bible. Helping you to understand the correlation between one truth and another.

Isaiah 28:10 KJV 1900

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; Line upon line, line upon line; Here a little, and there a little:

We can notice that Peter is connecting the dots here for us

1 Peter 4:7 KJV 1900

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

We are in the last days. We see the signs all around us. A couple of years ago now I preached a message from Mark 13 where we discussed the signs of the times. Sign that included deception, division and desolation. Here in this passage Peter identifies 7 demands of end time ministry to include: Sobriety, prayer, love, hospitality, Service, Speech and Ability.

This morning we will focus on Service or Ministry.

Throughout 2022 we have focused on 6 themes: Prayer, Evangelism, Discipleship, Worship, Fellowship and Ministry. Every 5th Sunday we have lifted up Ministry. Today I included in the bulletin some information about a significant ministry opportunity in our area: “John’s Way”

Ministry is a vital aspect of the Christian life. Peter identifies (connects the dots) for how ministry glorifies God.

1 Peter 4:13 KJV 1900

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Ministry glorifies God and glorifying God brings Joy. Someone once broke down JOY this way. it is Jesus first, Other’s Second and You last. We will use this simple formula to connect the dots this morning regarding the reasons for ministry.

I. Jesus First (Realizing what Jesus Gave)

1 Peter 4:10 KJV 1900

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

God has given to each of us gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 KJV 1900

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

God has given us gifts so that we can do ministry. Jesus states this in Matthew as he sends the disciples to do ministry

Matthew 10:8 KJV 1900

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Paul reiterates this principle as he teaches about the Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 11:23 KJV 1900

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

Again later in his letter to the church in Corinth Paul writes

1 Corinthians 15:3 KJV 1900

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Colossians 2:6 KJV 1900

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

II. Other’s Second ( One to Another)

1 Peter 4:10 KJV 1900

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Jesus offers a command regarding ministry

John 13:34 KJV 1900

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Romans 12:10 KJV 1900

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

1 Corinthians 12:25 KJV 1900

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Galatians 5:13 KJV 1900

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

III. You Last (Be good stewards of grace)

1 Peter 4:10 KJV 1900

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Stewards = Oikonomos

It means to be manager of the Household or household affairs

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 KJV 1900

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

To understand this concept of stewardship it might be helpful to look back into the old testament.

1 Chronicles 28:1 KJV 1900

And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.

Notice Princes were responsible for tribes, captains for companies.

But stewards were over all the substance and possessions of the king.

Jesus is the King of kings, and the Lord of Lords. He has ascended into heaven and left you and I here on earth to exercise dominion. You and I have been entrusted with all the substance and possessions of the king.

Are you a good steward of what God has entrusted to you?

Conclusion

This morning we have been trying to connect the dots of Ministry.

Jesus gave each of us a gift. The purpose of that gift is ministry.

Others are the focus of that ministry. We minister One to another. We love one another, prefer one another, care for one another and serve one another.

You are a steward. God has entrusted everything to you. You are God’s expression of grace in this world.

Are you a good steward of what God has entrusted to you?

Let’s pray.