Method Of

The Ministry

By RICK WILDER, Pastor

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

P.O. BOX 91222 – HENDERSON, NEVADA 89009

E-Mail: Rwilder317@aol.com

Without love we are not ministers of Christ, just noise makers, 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

The first impression the world will have of the God we preach, is what they see in our lives. The world does not read the Bible, they read our lives! 2 Corinthians 3:3 says, ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle (letter) of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

The world ought to see in us that God loves them. Actually, God loves the world through His ministers. 2 Corinthians 5:14 says, the love of Christ constraineth us; that is the love of Christ to us, in us and through us. 2 Corinthians 5:20, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us... in Christ's stead. 2 Corinthians 4:5 says, For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

We are simply God's servants presenting Jesus Christ our Lord. In Hosea 11:4 God says, I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love. God draws people to Himself by His love through His ministers and message.

God used the apostle Paul mightily as he ministered to people with the love of Christ. Paul did not say "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God is that I might have a big church." But he did say, in Romans 10:1 that it was his heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel . . . that they might be saved. In Romans 9:3 Paul says, For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

Imagine, Paul was willing to be cut off from Christ and literally go to hell for ever, if doing so he could save his kinsmen, the Jews. These were the same people he preached to, that expelled him out of their cities, scourged him and stoned him. If Paul was in the ministry to be successful, he would have quit with so much opposition. But, since love never fails, Paul continued to minister and finished his course.

If we don't love our congregation, we don't love God as much as we should. The more you love God, the more you will love people! I John 3:16 says, 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.

The ministry is the sacrifice of our lives on the altar for God's glory and people's good. To have the love of God for our congregation we need to consider our Lord's words to the apostles: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24). Self love makes it impossible to really love God and love people.

That is why before Jesus tells us to "follow Him", he tells us to "deny self and take up our cross daily". We need to be careful that while we are in the ministry and have some success, that we don't forget to take up our cross daily. Our Lord said in Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. If we are in the ministry because we love God, we will love people.

The ministry of the Word is a ministry of love. Why? Because God is love I John 4:8. In I John 4:7 John says, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. God does not just love, but it is His nature to love.

If we are born again, it is our new nature to love with God's love, the fruit of the Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22). Romans 5:5 says, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Our Lord said in John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this (love) shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

In Matthew 16:18 our Lord said, upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The church belongs to Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, Christ is the head over all things to the church, Which is his body.

Our Lord said the Church is my Church (Matthew 16:18) and Scripture calls the Church: the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). In 1 Corinthians 3:11 God says, For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Our Lord has given "gifts" (gifted men) to the "body" to edify (build up) and perfect the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12). These gifted men are to build on the foundation (Christ) following the head of the body (Christ) for the glory of God.

The Church does not belong to these gifted men, but rather Christ our Lord. Therefore, the doctrine, practices, worship and leadership should be directed by the true builder and head, Jesus Christ our Lord.

As the builder of the Church, our Lord "calls" men into the ministry. Seeing a famous preacher and wanting to be like him is not a call to the ministry. A call to the ministry is when you cannot imagine doing anything but serving the Lord full-time, winning souls and building up saints for the rest of your life. Anything less than this to a God called man seems to be a waste of life.

But, you must also meet the qualifications in 1 Timothy chapter 3 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil, and Titus chapter 1 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Also, your Pastor ought to be able to recognize your call to the ministry and spiritual gifts; (discernment and teaching ability) and be willing to set you apart for the ministry.

The Biblical Pastor recognizes that he is not a lord over God's heritage, but rather an ensample to the flock (1 Peter 5:3). The Pharisees were lords over God's people but our Lord said in Matthew 23:3-4, but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

In Matthew 23:13 Jesus said to the Pharisees, ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Contrast this with what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:24, Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. Paul recognizes that he is not a lord over the body but a helper to believers.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:7, Paul says, For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; and in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul said, Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Paul is an example, not a lord!

While the Pastor is not a lord but an example, he must also exercise authority in the Church. 1 Peter 5:2 says Pastors, Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, (not forced) but willingly; (lovingly guarding the body of Christ).

In Acts 20:28 Paul tells the elders to Take heed therefore unto yourselves, (if you don't guard your own life, how or why would you want to guard the lives of the brethren) and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.

The Pastor needs to use his God given authority to guard against false teachers, false doctrine, impurity in the church and to set apart as leaders only those with biblical qualifications. Hebrews 13:17 says, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, (for you to God) that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

This authority is not something to be coveted, but rather used only for God's glory and the good of His people. Our Lord said in Matthew 20:25-26 Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.

Don't confuse authority with greatness. Use authority only for God's glory. Pastoral authority is used for God's glory and the protection and edification of the saints.

The Pastor is called by God to do the work of an evangelist 2 Timothy 4:5. Our Lord was involved in evangelism, He told His disciples in Matthew 4:19, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

He commanded us in Mark 16:15 to Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. In John 4:34-35 our Lord says, Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: (people live forever because we evangelize) that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

Proverbs 11:30 says, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. In other words, the result of being "Right with God" is that you will have spiritual children, grand-children, etc., in the Lord! If you don't win souls to Christ, you will have no flock to feed or guard.

David said in Psalms 51:12-13, Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit (grace). Then will I teach transgressors (the lost) thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. If you are glad you are saved, you should want others to know God's wonderful plan of salvation.

The ministry must be done by the filling, leading, power and energy of the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8 our Lord says, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you. God the Holy Ghost gives you power when you speak to people about Jesus Christ our Lord.

Power that can cause people (no matter how many years steeped in their unbelief) to give up their religion, tradition, superstition, idols, unbelief, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ! Power to change a person's heart desires, worship, and direction in life permanently!

The person of the Holy Spirit is the only one who can balance the qualities that God wants in the Pastor; boldness, and meekness; contending without striving. Our Lord was very bold in cleansing the temple (twice), preaching God's Word, proclaiming truth and warning the wicked, and yet He was meek and lowly in heart Matthew 11:29.

Moses was bold with Pharaoh and evil doers and yet in Numbers 12:3 the Bible says, (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) Without God's power we would be bold without meekness or meek without boldness.

Jude says in verse 3, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. We are to strongly defend the gospel against false doctrine, but (2 Timothy 2:24-25) the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. We must not do the work of God in the flesh.

Continually go to God, asking Him to cleanse you, to fill you with the Spirit of the living God and seek to let Jesus Christ be Lord of your life. Only the Holy Spirit can continually give us balance for the work of the ministry.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Paul says, But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. God will test you: if you are in the ministry for your own glory, you will preach to please men.

But, if you are in the ministry for the glory of God, you will seek to please God. Galatians 1:10 says, For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:6, Nor of men sought we glory.

Because we are seeking to please God, we do not use flattery. In 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Paul said, For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Flattering words and words pleasing to man "puff man up" and promote self love.

Our Lord said in Matthew 5:3, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The gospel and words pleasing to God, humble man and help us to love God. God does not use flattery, He uses truth! Jesus said in Luke 6:26, Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

In 1 Corinthians 1:21 Paul says, For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. The word "preaching" means: to urge someone to accept Christ, believe God!

The word "teach" in scripture means: to cause to know a certain truth or doctrine. Preaching seeks to motivate you to respond to that teaching. Mark 16:15 says, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. In other words, urge every person in the world to accept Christ as Savior.

Romans 16:25 says, Now to him that is of power to stablish (establish) you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ. We are saved and established in the faith by preaching, but also, Matthew 28:19-20 says, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Teaching enables us to urge people to accept Christ and grow in Him. These are two tools we are exhorted to use for God's glory, over and over in scripture.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 says, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; (teaching) but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (wanting to hear what people want them to do and say, not God) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (made up stories). God has called us to teach and preach, not make up stories, entertain or put on plays! Teaching and preaching are God's prescribed tools.

Isaiah 56:10 says, His watchmen (God's spiritual leaders) are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, (watch dogs that cannot see or cannot bark to warn of danger) they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Lazy Pastors who don't preach and teach God's Word are like blind guard dogs that cannot bark to warn of danger. Remember, in order to get the results that God wants; souls saved and Christians discipled, we must use God's tools, and methods with God's message.

Finally, we must exercise church discipline, only when necessary. When a brother or sister in the Lord lives a wicked lifestyle and will not repent, he must be put on church discipline. 1 Corinthians 5:11 says, But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother (saved) be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

Notice, Paul does not say occasionally fell, but is "called", that means these un-biblical life styles have become their life style. They are not trying to walk in the faith. According to Matthew 18:15-19, one person would talk to them about their sinful life.

If they don't repent, take one or more with you. In verse 17, if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. When the Pastor(s) put someone on church discipline, no one in the church is to have fellowship with him until he repents and comes to the Pastor, first to let him know he has repented! Then he is received back to the congregation.

Speaking about a man who was put on church discipline by Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:6-8, Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

In this man's case, church discipline led to repentance and full fellowship. Had he not repented, while he was outside of the protection of the church, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:4-5, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

His body would be destroyed by Satan, but he would not lose his salvation! Church discipline is extremely important because a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump 1 Corinthians 5:6. Leaven is evil practice or doctrine that will spread to the whole body if we don't Purge out therefore the old leaven, (evil influence) that ye may be a new lump 1 Corinthians 5:7.