Christian Ministry

By

Shelby G. Floyd

March 1, 2007

 

 

 

The New Testament has much to say about dif­ferent ministries. One needs to prepare for any ministry. Christ was thirty years old when he began his ministry. (Luke 3:23.)

 

Take Ministry Seriously

 

Ministry should be taken seriously. The apostles took their ministry seriously with the exception of Judas. Peter addressed a group of about 120,

 

and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—he was one of our number and shared in this ministry." (Acts 1:17 NIV.)

 

Then they appointed two men to be considered for the appointment to the ministry of the apostles. They prayed to God the “heart knower” to indicate which of these two men he had chosen to fulfill the vacated ministry of Judas:

 

Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:24-26 NIV.)

 

New Testament Ministries

 

The New Testament speaks of “the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:2, 4), “the ministry of the saints” (1 Corinthians 16:15), and “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). The evangelist is to prove his ministry (2 Timothy 4:5), and each Christian is to discharge the duties of his ministry. (Romans 12:7.)

 

Ministering to the Family

 

One of the ministries of the congrega­tion is the family ministry. The family is the backbone of the congregation and the nation. Satan is assaulting the fam­ily relentlessly. Therefore, the church and the members of the family must do everything possible to bring families back to God. This involves marriages that are built upon love to God and one another. Ministering to our family is something every member of the church can be involved. We are all members of a family. This includes God’s family— the church:

 

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.

(Eph. 3:14-15 NKJV.)

 

           Let every member of God’s spiritual family find a ministry and serve God and one another. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NKJV.)  The ministry of Christ is our example.  Copyright © 2007 Shelby Floyd All Rights Reserved