Spiritual Emphasis on Ministry

Spiritual Emphasis on Ministry

By Pastor Gary Wayne

I know we are past September where I encouraged that month to be “Spiritual Emphasis” month, but I want to emphasis one more area that I think has been downplayed and or ignored to “normal living.” I want to emphasize the need to understand every one of us have been called to fulltime ministry.

Text: 1 Corinthians 16:15-16, Romans 12:4-8
Read in Passion Translation

Ver.6 tells us God have given to each one – various gits and ministries that are unique to you.

Then Paul gives some examples – but this is not a list of the different gifts, but rather examples of “some of the gifts” God has given different people.
The point is God had given you & me different gifts to be used for Him in ministering to others.

Loaded question, when Jesus gave the great commission, was He only referring to those who were there physically to receive His commission?
Was He referring to people who would become clergy?
No – that commission was to every person who is a follower of Jesus.
Mat.28:16-20 Mrk.16:15-18 Great commission

A problem I see that has crippled ministry is that ministry has been allocated to the “clergy.”

There has been a wrong division between “ministers, and lay people.”

I think most people in church can quote this as being wrong, yet it still seems to be played out in our every-day living.

The meaning for ministry is simply “service given in the name of Jesus.”
EVERY ONE OF US have been called to do that – every day – giving ourselves to “full-time ministry.”

1 Cor.16:15-16 They “devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints, - you also submit to such”
NIV – They “devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these…”

The Hebrew people understood a major point – worship isn’t just what you do when you go to church, but it’s how I live my life – every day, knowing my life is an expression of worship to God.

How I work on the job is my worship to God.
How I treat my family at home is my worship to God.
When I go to the post office, or grocery store, is where I have been CALLED BY GOD to minister.

Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Col 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

1Co 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.