How God Equips us for Ministry

How God Equips us for Ministry

Jesus tells His disciples that they will be continuing the work He began with His ministry which is, sharing the Gospel, making more disciples, and even supernatural works. This would be made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit who would indwell believers after Jesus ascended to heaven and would take place on the day of Pentecost (The day the Holy Spirit descended upon and filled Jesus’ disciples, 50 days after the Passover). Today, those who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, are filled (baptized) with the Holy Spirit.  Note: the ceremonial baptism is just a public confession of faith and normally takes place after one has already received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the agent of inspiration, regeneration, sanctification, evangelism, and salvation.

Titus 3:5 New International Version 1984 

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit

God prepares believers for ministry:

Ephesians 2:10 New International Version 1984  

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in

advance for us to do.

Jesus tells His disciples about what their ministry would entail:

John 14:12 New Living Translation  

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.

We are commissioned by Jesus to do ministry for God’s kingdom:

Matthew 28:18-20 New International Version 1984 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Holy Spirit plays an important role in equipping us for ministry:

John 14:25-26 New International Version 1984  

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father

will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Acts 1:8 New International Version 1984 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in

Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

God prepares us for the trials in ministry by building up our perseverance and character. We will be tested so we can withstand the pressure of our calling:

Romans 5:1-5 New International Version 1984 

Peace and Joy

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

James 1:2-4 New International Version 1984 

Trials and Temptations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

God’s Word equips us for ministry:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version 1984  

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

All Believers are given spiritual gifts that we use for ministry in God’s kingdom:

Romans 12:6-8 New International Version 1984  

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use

it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is

encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if

it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Ephesians 4:11 New International Version 1984 

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some

to be pastors and teachers,

1 Corinthians 12:28 New International Version 1984 

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then

workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

We are to share our faith in a understandable and loving way and handle God’s truth correctly:

1 Peter 3:15-16 New International Version 1984 

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who

asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

2 Timothy 2:15 New International Version 1984 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

The story of the young man God called into ministry

There was a young man who received God’s calling into ministry. This young man was absolutely sure God wanted Him to be a missionary. However, this young man was not yet prepared to face the difficulties that awaited Him in ministry. In order for this young man to be prepared to fulfill the calling for his life, God allowed the enemy to disturb this young man for a while. The enemy was allowed to enter into the young man’s thoughts where he proceeded to produce mountains of doubt in the young man. The young man began to believe that because God did not alleviate the burden of these terrible thoughts, his ability to fulfill God’s calling was in question. 

For 3 month’s this young man was haunted by daily thoughts which cast doubt that Jesus’ work on the cross was able to wipe out his past sins completely. The young man’s sins from his past kept creeping back up in his mind overwhelming him with a deep sadness, depression and anxiety.  Even spending time in God’s Word and

prayer could not prevent these thoughts from reoccurring.

One night his father asked to speak with him. The young man and his father sat outside and built a fire. They then began to have a deep spiritual conversation. The young man’s father began to express his love for his son and spoke God’s truth into his life. The father also gave his son a special blessing as the father knew that He needed to release his son to God and trust that God would now be in control of his son’s future. After the Blessing, God, through His incredible love, mercy and grace brought on a supernatural event. God powerfully revealed through the young man’s father’s words, the reason for the young man’s suffering. God made it clear to the son that the struggles the young man was going through were necessary in order to prepare the young man for ministry. With this revelation the young man now understood the purpose for this long and difficult time in his life and wept tears of joy. He now knew that God finally released the burden he was experiencing.

The enemy’s time of stirring up deceptive thoughts, doubt and anxiety were now lifted. The young man was now ready to face the calling he received through the blessing from both his earthly father and his Heavenly Father. This was a great moment in time because God established and confirmed that the son was ready to fulfill his

calling. The perseverance and character building that took place during this time made perfect sense. God’s timing of this event was perfect. The son received the blessing just at the point in his life when he needed it the most. The son was ready to go and fulfill his calling to be a missionary.

When it comes to ministry it is important to know that God is sovereign and always in control. It helps to know that we play a significant role in God’s plan and He will use us for a greater purpose far beyond anything we can even imagine. God is the one who prepares the way for ministry and will sustain us and provide for us as we use the gifts and talents we have been given by Him, to edify His kingdom and reach the lost. God will even allow us to struggle in order that we grow in our faith and trust in Him. God will also help us endure the spiritual battles and difficult circumstances that we will experience as followers of Jesus.

Here are some good things to remember.

God has a good plan for those who love him and are called to fulfill His purpose:

Romans 8:28 Amplified Bible 

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version 1984 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God’s work in us will be completed: (personal salvation and sanctification and advancing the gospel)

Philippians 1:6 New International Version 1984 

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

When we are tempted, God is faithful to help us stand up against the temptation:

1 Corinthians 10:13 New International Version 1984 
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

God’s Word will provide the sustenance we need:

Matthew 4:4 New International Version 1984 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”

God is faithful:

Hebrews 10:23 New International Version 1984 
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Deuteronomy 7:9 New Living Translation 

Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his

Covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.

Our reward is our inheritance – eternal life in the kingdom of God:

 

Colossians 3:23-24 New International Version 1984 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you willreceive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

1 John 4:9-10 New Living Translation 

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

John 14:1-3 New International Version 1984 

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Ephesians 1:11 New Living Translation 
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

Hebrews 9:15 New Living Translation 

That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

When in doubt we can remember that God has promised that we are truly forgiven:

I John 1:9 New International Version 1984 
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.                                                                                        

So God equips us for ministry in a variety of ways. He will mature our faith and trust in Him in ways that might be far from comfortable. But we must remember that God has a good purpose behind using difficult circumstances in order to prepare us for the ministry He has called us to.

Remember this: Jesus tells us that in this world we will have struggles, but we are to take heart, because He has overcome the world!

John 16:33 New International Version 1984 

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

It is an honor and a privilege to serve an awesome God who loves us and desires to be friends with us; who gives us a hope and a future; who prepares the way for us to do ministry; who never leaves us nor forsakes us. 

So even when we have to face a world that hates us, are we willing to be Gods hand and feet?

Isaiah 6:8 New Living Translation 

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

If we say yes to God and obey His great Commission, God will surely be with us every step of the way.

Jon 14:21 New Living Translation 

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Now that’s Great News!

Just Sayin........................Dave