Serving Faithfully in the Ministry You have Received

Serving Faithfully in the Ministry You Have Received.

These precious, flawlessly distributed gifts are to be used in community, through the power of the Spirit who gives them, to build up our brothers and sisters and to grow the church as a light shining in a dark world.

Word-Filled Women’s Ministry

We’ve reached 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul begins by telling the Corinthians that he and his companions have received mercy and a ministry from the Lord and they do not give up, “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1). The word ‘ministry’ caught my attention because I’ve also been in Colossians where Paul tells them, “And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord that you may fulfill it’” (Colossians 4:17). Ministry is a service. It means to serve or labor for the benefit of another. Paul often uses it of himself and those with him as ministers of the gospel. But in a broader sense, every believer has places of ministry and service where they are called to labor diligently. As Christians, we have a service, a ministry, a gift, opportunities, talents, influence, whatever it may be that should be used in the service of another. Part of the way we love others is by ministering to them with the abilities God has given us to encourage and build up those around us. Often these ministries or areas of service are connected to our roles and responsibilities. We are mothers, fathers, friends, coworkers, Sunday school teachers, greeters, bible study attendees, plus much more. The roles and responsibilities we have are enhanced and carried out with the gifting that God has given each one of us. And Paul’s word to us, in the unique positions and ministries that we have, is to pay attention to the ministry we have received, don’t give up, and carry to completion the work God has called us to. 

Here are some encouragements and warnings as we consider how to faithfully live and work for the Lord:

Don’t neglect the most important thing: your own walk with the Lord. Sit at His feet, be filled, then minister (Luke 10:40). Without first being ministered to by the Lord, it will be difficult to minister life-giving service to others and persevere in our ministry. Ministry can be costly. It will take your time, resources, and efforts (2 Corinthians 9:13). We need the Lord, so lean into Him first and often.

Be careful. We, in no way, want to discredit the gospel of Christ or the ministry He has given us (2 Corinthians 6:3). Guard your heart. Repent of sin. Give yourself to what is good. Fill yourself with the right and holy things.

Be equipped so that you can build up others most effectively (Ephesians 4:12). There may be things we need to learn and areas we need to grow in so that we can be better skilled or knowledgeable. When we continue to minister and learn, we grow and become not only a blessing to those we minister to, but we can become a resource for others who look to our example. We can also follow the example of others, in Scripture, in history, and in real life, who are models of being devoted to the ministry of the saints (1 Corinthians 16:15). Linking arms with others who are ministering in similar ways (mothers, teachers, deacons, writers, encouragers) helps us to persevere and learn from one another that we might all be better equipped.

Ministry does not need to be done alone (2 Timothy 4:11). “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). When we can surround ourselves with others who help us live faithfully by their encouragement, example, and partnership, we have a greater chance to fulfill and carry to completion the work that the Lord has given us. 

Finally, fulfill your ministry in the Lord’s strength (1 Timothy 1:12). Paul was able to give diligent devotion to his ministry. He finished the course and ministry which he had been given by the Lord (Acts 20:24). He said, “I labored even more than all of them” and yet he said, “yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). This will be the only way we too can carry out the ministry we have received in the Lord. We must do it in His strength and with His grace. Peter tells the believers in his first epistle to perform their gifts by the strength that God supplies so that God may be glorified (1 Peter 4:11). This is the aim of all our ministering, to do it that God may receive the glory. Therefore, let us by good stewards of the ministries and gifts He has given us. 

(For a post specifically about our ministry as mothers check out Don’t Give Up: When Mothering Makes You Weary)

Prayer suggestions:

• Pray that we would seek the Lord first, coming to Him as the fountain of living waters, and He would supply all we need to fulfill the tasks that He has given us, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
• Pray that we would carefully guard our hearts and our ways, walking in obedience to the Lord, and careful to not stumble into sin that would discredit our Savior and our ministry.
• Pray that we would learn and grow in our roles and responsibilities in order to more effectively minister to others and build up Christ’s body.
• Pray for partners in the ministry that can help us through their encouragement and partnership to persevere and remain faithful to the tasks we have been given by the Lord (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
• Pray for the Lord’s strength and grace to empower our ministry so that He may be glorified in and through us (1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Peter 4:11).