This Sunday in church, the pastor spoke a couple of minutes on ministry. While he spoke he made a very true statement that Christ needs to come first in our ministry. This so very true. He does not only need to come first but be the main focus of our ministry. This is the most important part of any ministry. Without Christ we have no ministry. The pastor did not come straight out and say this, however i do believe that this is what he meant by his statement.
Why is it so important that our main focus is Christ? .
The Word of God states very clearly that there is only one name under heaven that we are saved by. This being the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 4:10-12. We also find in the Word of God that Jesus himself stated that He is the only way to the heavens. John 14:6 Anyone that tries to get in by any other way is as a thief and a robber. John 10:1 This being stated, there is a concern that rises with what we see in ministries today.
To many times it seems as though ministers and ministries are more about getting a minister or a pastor or their own ministry noticed; rather than Jesus Christ and his glory. Many people seem to believe that their knowledge of the word of God is what saves others or is the authority in their ministries. However we know that this is not true nor can it be. We know this because it is made well known through the scriptures that even Satan has knowledge of the word of God. He used the word of God to tempt Jesus. Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-12. We can also see where the pharisees and the sadducees knew the Word of God, yet Jesus called them hypocrites.
If our ministry is about putting ourselves out there for the world to see and for us to gain, then i think that our ministry is not only selfish but dangerous to any that comes to it. Christ is not an object that is sold like a hair comb in a store. Then again i believe that if we are doing ministry for such reasons, Christ is not even the focus of the ministry.
One of the teachings that is brought about concerning ministry is that we have to befriend people before we share the gospel. This is a dangerous teaching and not found within the word of God. This teaching does 2 things. 1. We infact deny the power of God. 2. We put the glory on ourselves as if we did it. No where do we see where Jesus or the apostles went up to someone to befriend them and gain their trust before sharing the truth with them. Acts 2: 14-36, 3: 11-26, 7, Matthew 5-7. Here are just a few of the sermons that were given in the Bible. As you can see there was not a befrieding of the people. Not to mention we do not know the day or the hour of ours or anyone elses death. It may have been their last chance to hear the truth and we just let it go by.
Ministry is not a game of chess. It is life or death for all mankind. The choice is always given on an individual basis. Eternal life or eternal death. If our ministry and our focus of what ministry is on anything other than Christ and him being our savior then the ministry is a dud. Yes it may become very popular with the people of the world because of the false feel good teachings and flesh desires that are fed. But this does not mean that the ministry is of God or that his blessing is on it.
Why is it so important that our main focus is Christ? .
The Word of God states very clearly that there is only one name under heaven that we are saved by. This being the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 4:10-12. We also find in the Word of God that Jesus himself stated that He is the only way to the heavens. John 14:6 Anyone that tries to get in by any other way is as a thief and a robber. John 10:1 This being stated, there is a concern that rises with what we see in ministries today.
To many times it seems as though ministers and ministries are more about getting a minister or a pastor or their own ministry noticed; rather than Jesus Christ and his glory. Many people seem to believe that their knowledge of the word of God is what saves others or is the authority in their ministries. However we know that this is not true nor can it be. We know this because it is made well known through the scriptures that even Satan has knowledge of the word of God. He used the word of God to tempt Jesus. Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-12. We can also see where the pharisees and the sadducees knew the Word of God, yet Jesus called them hypocrites.
If our ministry is about putting ourselves out there for the world to see and for us to gain, then i think that our ministry is not only selfish but dangerous to any that comes to it. Christ is not an object that is sold like a hair comb in a store. Then again i believe that if we are doing ministry for such reasons, Christ is not even the focus of the ministry.
One of the teachings that is brought about concerning ministry is that we have to befriend people before we share the gospel. This is a dangerous teaching and not found within the word of God. This teaching does 2 things. 1. We infact deny the power of God. 2. We put the glory on ourselves as if we did it. No where do we see where Jesus or the apostles went up to someone to befriend them and gain their trust before sharing the truth with them. Acts 2: 14-36, 3: 11-26, 7, Matthew 5-7. Here are just a few of the sermons that were given in the Bible. As you can see there was not a befrieding of the people. Not to mention we do not know the day or the hour of ours or anyone elses death. It may have been their last chance to hear the truth and we just let it go by.
Ministry is not a game of chess. It is life or death for all mankind. The choice is always given on an individual basis. Eternal life or eternal death. If our ministry and our focus of what ministry is on anything other than Christ and him being our savior then the ministry is a dud. Yes it may become very popular with the people of the world because of the false feel good teachings and flesh desires that are fed. But this does not mean that the ministry is of God or that his blessing is on it.
