SERVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD - PART 2

             SERVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD – PART 2

INDEX:
- WHO IS CALLED?
- WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS?
- WHAT TYPES OF MINISTRY ARE THERE?

“And Jesus said unto them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” Matthew 4:19

Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NAS

“And He said unto them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.’” Mark 16:15-16

“Jesus said unto Simon Peter, ‘Do you love Me more that these?...feed My lambs….Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17

 Jesus had given these instructions to His disciples, and the work is being carried on to this day, and will until He returns when it is completed. In it we each have a part by being a witness in word and deed. There is so much work to be done, and truly “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field” Matthew 9:37-38

WHO IS CALLED?

 As we can see from the above verses, there is likely more work than workers, so anyone who wants to help in the harvest for the Kingdom of God is welcomed. Now what does that actually mean? Often we interpret that as having to become an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor/priest, teacher, or missionary (Ephesians 4:10). Then, if for whatever reason, that does not work out we tend to draw back and do little or nothing. THERE IS PLENTY OF WORK FOR EVERYONE, just not everyone is called to these specific ministries. The 18 century preacher during the second great awakening in the Eastern US, Charles Finney, summed the work of the Kingdom of God in this simple term, “The salvation of sinners, and the sanctification of saints.”  All that we do for God is a spiritual service for sure, but it literally reaches into every aspect of our natural world. So as long as you live in this world, the Lord has work for you to do. So you are called of Him,

 but might that look like?

 WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS?

1 - You must be born again to even see the Kingdom of God, let alone enter the Kingdom of God John 3:3-6.  Whether you may be working in a church, with a church organization, or simply just helping out where you can, if you are doing it for Jesus we are really working for the Kingdom of God and bringing people to Him. But we must be born again.

2- We should have repented of whatever the Bible calls sinful activities such as; lying, stealing, blasphemy, drunkenness, sexual immorality, and the like. It is the Lord Jesus Christ we are representing, and His name we are carrying. Our lives should reflect it, and be an honor to Him.

3- Love Jesus, and have a heart to help. Regardless of your gender, age, health, education, abilities, background, nationality, you can make a difference for the Kingdom of God in this world, and Jesus will use you.

4- Be surrendered to His will. Isaiah, when he saw the Lord high and lifted up and heard His challenge, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" he answered, "Here am I, send me!" Isaiah 6:8 

WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES ARE THERE?

I wish to point out that much of what I have written here is possible in places where there is liberty for the public expression of the Gospel. In many places around the world, the Lord must work through His people in other and perhaps more discrete ways. May He guide you and use you mightily for His Kingdom and glory, and keep you safe.

A – FULL TIME MINISTRY

If you are called to what is called ‘full time’ ministry, which means that your ministry will also be where you derive most of your income for living, training is to be expected and necessary, and that will vary depending to the type of work the Lord is leading you into. If the Lord is calling you into this type of work He will direct you as to how to finance it, since that is usually what it takes. The pastor I was raised under, he and his wife followed the call and did whatever it took to fulfill it. They believed in doing the work whether they had the finances on hand or not. He would work and do whatever he had to, like the Apostle Paul had to do many a time, but obeying the Lord was the most important concern. Hudson Taylor, the founder of China Inland Missions said, “God’s work done God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” We just need to figure out what that way is, and He will direct.

 Next, as a word of advice, develop a strong and consistent daily prayer life and Bible study time. Since you will be ministering and feeding His people, you need to keep your spiritual fervor up. Have you noticed how Jesus, even after ministering all day, would go aside to pray, and sometimes all night? Paul, even at the end of his life still applied himself to study Acts 26:24.

LAY MINISTRY

 This term typically refers to volunteer ministry. Often it is implying a ‘Levitical’ type of service as was established in the Old Testament, where the Levites would assist the priests in the service to the Lord. In the New Testament it is called the ‘Helps’ or the ministry of helps. In this ministry, the workers help the ministers in a multiple of responsibilities in order to free them up so they can carry out their responsibility in the Word and Prayer. This service is well illustrated in Acts 6. This type of ministry may or may not have income provided, depending on the financial situation of the operation they are serving in.

VOLUNTEER

 This work is obviously carried out without financial remuneration. A large part of the Ministry of the Kingdom of God’ is and always has been done by volunteers. Again, as the individual feels the burden to help, it is an expression of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ expecting nothing in return but to please Him and bless to those whom He is trying to reach through you.

Volunteer ministry is often carried out in church settings, but also in para-church operations like food lines, social works, and so on. The skills required in this ministry are endless, depending on the type of needs of the people that are being ministered too and the complexity of the services being provided. This includes even mechanics, pilots, carpenters, nurses…, where the needs are endless, and so are the skills. As one preacher said, our work is your ministry. What ever we do touches the lives of someone, and if it is done in faith and love in Christ, you are serving the Lord in His Kingdom.

EVERY DAY LIFE MINISTRY

In our everyday life there are endless opportunities to lend a friend, a neighbor, a stranger a helping hand, a word of encouragement, pray, or even financial assistance. When done in faith and the right motives, Jesus will be glorified, believers will be encouraged, and sinners will be drawn to Him.

MINISTRY OF THE WORD

As a short note regarding the Ministry of the Word, in other words, teaching the Bible, it is imperative that you yourself are well grounded in the Word of God, the Bible. This means that you yourself are to be a student of the Bible, that you know it and its full content, and that you have been taught by other well versed and experienced Bible teachers. No individual has the corner on knowledge in anything, and that includes the Bible. Among scientists, when an individual comes up with a theory, they subject it to their peers in the same field to have it cross examined in order to challenge its credibility, and it should be the same among Bible ministers.

 CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14  This ministry is so often lightly regarded, and was even by Jesus’ own disciples, but is no less crucial than any other Gospel work. Not only do they need to be saved and know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but they are so close to the heart of the Lord, and much of the direction of their life will depend on the influence they are under during their childhood, as was ours. I thank God for the Godly up-bringing of my parents, their faith, and the stability it brought into my life.

 This work is typically volunteer and carried out all too often with minimal effort (I myself have been guilty of that). So if God has put a burden to minister to children in your heart, take it seriously, in the fear of the Lord, and spend time in prayer and preparation.

PRAYER MINISTRY

Prayer is one of the most critical ministries, and perhaps one of the most neglected works we apply ourselves to. The wonderful thing about prayer ministry is that anyone and everyone can do it, it is usually hidden, and no one needs to know, and perhaps nor should know but God our Heavenly Father Matthew 6:6. By prayer we can minister to anyone and everyone anywhere, anytime. For further effect there are prayer groups and prayer teams, and if you are able get involved and tackle the problems of life and the world. Jesus is our greatest example of ministering in prayer.

CREATIVE MINISTRY – MUSIC, ART, DRAMA, BROADCASTING (These examples are more suited in places where there is freedom to share the gospel. Not everyone has these freedoms obviously)

 There are so many avenues where we can share Jesus with the saints and the sinners alike, and the creativity is boundless. There is the music ministry, either in worship leading, or outreach and evangelism. The opportunities are endless. The same goes for the arts, drama, and broadcasting. Mind you, very few of these ministries bring much of a financial return, but that is not what serving Jesus is about. God our Heavenly Father is the Creator of creators, and as Job in the Book of Job said, “But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.” Job 32:8  As we worship the Lord and go to Him in prayer, He imparts to us creative ways to glorify Him in whatever realm He may place us.

GIVING

Giving is also a much needed form of worship and service in the Kingdom of God. The Gospel advancement depends much on the donations, charity, and this ministry of others. First we give ourselves to God, and then to those in His service as He directs us or we feel prompted, and it is according to what we can, not what we cannot, 2 Corinthians 8:5,12. As with all our services, it is unto the Lord, and not according to the request or expectations of people.

HELPING THE POOR AND THE NEEDY

 Giving to the poor and needy is something we should all practice, not only as is expected by God, but out of sheer love and compassion, even as we would hope to receive if we were the ones in need. May the Lord burn it on our hearts not to pass anyone by who is in need and we have the ability to help.

MINISTRY IN THE HOUSE OF GOD

Remember that we had mentioned ministering to the believer and the unbeliever alike. Depending on the influence of our upbringing and focus we may exalt one above the other, but both are critical to God. Ministry to the unbeliever is so important so that they can be saved, but ministry to the believers is just as important to help keep everyone in the grace of God in a wicked and corrupt world. That is where most of church life comes in. Helping in church does not encompass all the work of the Kingdom of God, but it is a big part none the less, and the easiest way to get involved for most of us. So please take advantage of the opportunities provided as you are able. In the end, it is the Lord you are serving.

THE DAY TO DAY MINISTRY OF LIFE

 "And whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men..." Colossians 3:23  Our life responsibilities are our service to the Lord and how each of us serves Jesus in His Kingdom, and our fellow man is blessed because of it. Your work in life is a service to mankind, and thus a service in the Kingdom of God. Therefore every believer can serve in God's glorious and wonderful Kingdom we do our work as unto Him!

MINISTRY TO GOD

Our life is to be a ministry to Him. What does He need from us other than our obedience? Actually He really needs nothing since it is not as if we can actually do anything for the Creator of the universe. But our love and adoration to Him as well as the service we render to others is such a huge blessing to Him. So take time every day, where it is just about Him, and not anything or anyone else. He loves you.

TO SUM IT ALL UP - SERVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS DOING EVERYTHING WE DO IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, BEING LED BY HIS HOLY SPIRIT, ACCORDING TO HIS WORD, AND TO THE GLORY OF GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER

CONCLUSION - THE WHY OF MINISTRY

Why do we minister? Why do we reach out and help in the work of the Lord? Why do we do anything once we are saved? It is not because we are doing it to be saved or gain rewards. We are doing it for the same reason God sent His Only Begotten Son in to the world, “For God so LOVED the world…” John 3:16 “God is Love, and he that abides in love abides in God.” 1 John 4:16  My dear friends, that should be our whole motivation for everything that we do, because we love God, and because He put His love in our hearts by His Holy Spirit Romans 5:5 we want to share His love with everyone, believer and non-believer alike. He loves us and how can we not love them in the same way? Let His fire burn in our hearts!

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16