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28 Jun ' 12:48
Ministry Defined, Part 11 So that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:12
The last several weeks we have taken time to consider how Paul defined a biblical ministry. He has made it very clear what ministry is not, as well as what ministry must be. In the last verse in this series Paul states unequivocally the purpose of ministry.
He says nothing about numbers or demographics. He avoids any mention of current trends. Paul very succinctly declares his ultimate goal in his ministry. In all of the suffering, hard work, teaching, admonishment, encouragement, etc., Paul wants, above all, to see the Thessalonian believers walking in a manner that is worthy of the God who called them. Of course, it was Paul’s ambition to walk in the same manner.
Paul’s wholehearted motivation in ministry was not about him. He was not trying to be the most popular speaker in the land. He was not seeking to build the largest church or to have the highest remuneration. Ministry was not an ego trip; rather it was an incredibly delightful privilege to serve the Living God in the proclamation of the eternal truth. The goal was to help others commit their lives to the service of our Creator. It was to teach them to walk in a way that would be considered worthy by God.
Paul has often stated this same purpose to the churches he worked alongside:
Ephesians 4:1So that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Philippians 1:27Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Colossians 1:10… so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Our culture, even the professing Christian culture, would impose on us endless ways to build the church. Over these last eleven weeks we have considered Paul’s commitment to ministry. I hope and pray that you dont get caught up in the endless pursuits that are not consistent with Gods purposes. Walk in a manner worthy of the God who called you, and teach others to do the same. Do it all for the kingdom of God — never seek to build your own kingdom!
2010-06-28 Ministry Defined, Part 10, Rocky Wyatt, 2010-06-21
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