Here are some verses that talk about ministry:
Numbers 4:12
And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar:
Numbers 4:47
From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation.
2 Chronicles 7:6
And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
Hosea 12:10
I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
Acts 1:17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
Acts 1:25
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Acts 6:4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 12:25
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 21:19
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
Romans 12:7
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
2 Corinthians 4:1
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 Corinthians 5:18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Colossians 4:17
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
2 Timothy 4:5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
A common thread I noted as I read all of these verses:
- Ministry is obtained or appointed by Christ.
- Ministry requires attention and faithfulness.
- Ministry must be fulfilled or completed.
This verse sums up these points:
Colossians 4:17~ And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which tho hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
I believe that ministry is appointed to every believer:
2 Corinthians 4:1~ Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.
Luke 24:46-47~ And {Jesus} said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
We receive ministry as we receive mercy: gladly and by faith. We are to be surrendered to God, which is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1). But we still haven't answered that question: if I participate in ministry, exactly what is it?
The simple definition of ministry is "office, service."
What is ministry? Our {Office, service} to God.
Uh-oh. that didn't tell us what to do. Actually, it did. Since ministry is service to God, we are to do whatever He tells us to do! How will we know? Prayer. Reading God's Word. Getting to know Him better.
Ministry starts with surrender, submission, and humility. I is serving. God. That means God's our "boss." We must surrender to Him, for He knows what to do;; we must submit to Him, for He will carry us through; we must humble ourselves, for we don't have a clue!!!
So, believer, you have a duty to ministry, whatever that may be! But remember the musts.
*For a really, really fantastic story of ministry and trusting God, read a biography sometime on Hudson Taylor.
p.s.~ Part 2 coming soon :-)
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