Now What? – 2. What’s My Ministry?

Col. 4.17 (NKJV) And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

2Tim. 4.5 (NKJV) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

MINISTRY – How we will serve God’s people (both believer and the lost). ministry was & is a gift from God. ministry is not something we force, but something God gives (received in the Lord). Ministry is not something we do for God; it is something God does in and through us. The end goal is transformation of people!

Two types – Specific assignment/ calling & Daily opportunities.

RECEIVE – Responsibility and accountability.
We are stewards of the work God has given us to do. And if the Lord gave you a ministry/work to do, the Lord will also help you carry it out in the right way. But He wants a return on His partnership.

FROM GOD – You don’t just make it up. He is the initiator of what He has for you to do.

FULFILL – faithfully finish the work, assignment, calling on your life.

YOUR – Not, “Fulfill my ministry.” But, “You have your own calling from God.”

God is calling you UP, He’s not focused on your inadequacy.

Calling you up into your IDENTITY. I’m a affirmed beloved child of God.
Calling you up into your MINISTRY. I have an assignment(s) from God.
Calling you up into His ABILITY. I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.

Ministry always comes from identity otherwise ministry will become your identity. (it happened to me)

Jer. 1.4 (NKJV) Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Jer. 1.5 (NKJV) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; IDENTITY I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” MINISTRY
Jer. 1.6 (NKJV) Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”
Jer. 1.7 (NKJV) But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Jer. 1.8 (NKJV) Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD. His ABILITY
Jer. 1.9 (NKJV) Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
Jer. 1.10 (NKJV) See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.”

First and foremost we all have been given a ministry of RECONCILIATION fueled by God’s LOVE for others… (This is important)

2Cor. 5.17 (NLT) What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

Now what?..

2cor. 5:18 (Nlt) all this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the ministry of reconciling people to him.
2cor. 5:19 (nlt) for god was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others.
2cor. 5:20 (nlt) we are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, “be reconciled to God!”

God has chosen you to be His and has sent you as a son or daughter into “your world” with a Ministry of reconciliation to do on His behalf… in and with His power (ability).

John 17:18 (nkjv) as you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

John 15:16 (nkjv) you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the father in my name he may give you.

Ministry is people. Love is the compelling guide. The Holy Spirit is the teacher.

Luke 10.25 (NKJV) And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Luke 10.26 (NKJV) He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
Luke 10.27 (NKJV)So he answered and said, ““You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Luke 10.28 (NKJV)And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
Luke 10.29 (NKJV) But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10.30 (NKJV) Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Luke 10.31 (NKJV) Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Luke 10.32 (NKJV) Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
Luke 10.33 (NKJV) But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.
Luke 10.34 (NKJV) So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luke 10.35 (NKJV) On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
Luke 10.36 (NKJV) So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
Luke 10.37 (NKJV) And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”